The Dixon Gallery and Gardens has a long history in Memphis as the place Margaret and Hugo Dixon once called home. Upon their deaths in 1974, the Dixons left the home, 17-acres of gardens, and their impressive collection of French impressionist paintings to the citizens of Memphis for the enjoyment and education of generations to come.
In that same spirit of enjoyment and education, the Dixon Gallery and Gardens will host the 19th annual Art on Tap event Friday, Sept. 5. The event raises funds for the Dixon’s educational programs.
“It’s a fund raiser for the Dixon’s education programs, as well as a friend-raiser, serving to introduce the Dixon to new audiences,” Art on Tap’s event coordinator Sarah Lorenz said. “We hope you’ll come for the beer, and stay for the art.”
The event was started nearly two decades ago by the Dixon’s Young at Art program. The social program of art-lovers, mostly in their 20’s and 30’s, began Art on Tap with a turn-out of just 250 people in its early years.
Last year’s event was sold out with 1,100 in attendance and Lorenz expects a large crowd again this year.
She attributes the continued success of the event to the Dixon itself, and of course, the beer.
“The Dixon is a pretty magical setting,” Lorenz said. “We give pretty generous pours. You can keep the glass. I think it’s just a magical, romantic setting. People love the Dixon.”
Event-goers will have the opportunity to sample beers from two local home brew clubs, Bluff City Brewers and Memphis Brewer’s Association. Returning again are well-known local names like Wiseacre and High Cotton.
New to the beer line-up this year is Bernoulli Brew Werks, a Memphis brewing supply store that opened in late February this year. Owned by a group of five friends and home brew lovers, they have been focused on giving back to the community since they began.
“As a group, we’ve been big on charities and helping the community and supporting things like that,” co-owner and manager of Bernoulli Brew Werks Brooks Fease said.
Bernoulli Brew Werks plan to bring a variety of Hefeweizen beer, a wheat-based German beer, to Art on Tap.
“Each one’s a little bit unique,” Fease said. “One actually has jalapeno peppers in it.”
The folks at Bernoulli Brew Werks make their own brews, but their main focus is selling home brewing supplies.
“Most of us are engineers, so we call it engineering the perfect brew,” Fease said.
A number of Memphis eateries are onboard to provide a wide variety of foods, including Gus’s Fried Chicken, Rock 'n' Dough Pizza, Celtic Crossing and One and Only BBQ.
Bosco’s will be offering shrimp and grits in addition to their award winning beers.
Frost Bake Shop will provide the sweets and CFY Catering will be making their “HOPS sicles,” popsicles made from beer.
In addition to the libations and local fare, Art on Tap will be featuring energetic dance band Hollywood, which Lorenz said will lend a fun and lively tone with their performances of current, chart-topping music.
Tickets for Art on Tap are $30 for members, $40 for non-members and $40 at the door. A wine tasting pass can be purchased for an additional $10, with samples provided by Buster’s Liquor & Wines. Attendees should be prepared to provide ID showing they are at least 21 years of age.
