Bircus Concept Art
Bircus Brewing Company is the brainchild of former Ringling Bros. clown Paul Miller and Flemish youth circus Circusplaneet’s Coördinator, Matthias Vermael. A circus/beer hall hybrid, it provides work and entertainment to the underserved area of Ludlow Kentucky, even while serving as a home to performers from 28 countries –Antigua to Australia, Ghana to Germany, Indonesia to Israel, and Suriname to Sudan.
Inspired both by the incredible concept and the important work being done by the venue, I created a spec series of concept arts representing what I could create for them in order to plus the theming of the space. The first two illustrations were answers to "problems" in the space: the exposed equipment (air conditioners, wiring, etc) and the presence of a large utility closet. The first problem I answered with the introduction of affordable, vintage-looking light fixtures and a proposed elephant shaped fixture which could be carved and applied over the air conditioners. The second I answered by proposing a large circus wagon-inspired facade. This would successfully camouflage the utility closet while leaning into the circus-warehouse inspired space.
My favorite concept, though, was one I sketched out for their stage, which often features live bands who perform in accompaniment with the acrobats center floor. Although this stage is currently a collection of pallets, it could easily be plussed with a round frame and an elephant-shaped shelf for holding the beer barrels. This elephant would be fabricated to appear to be made from rusting metal, thereby uniting it with the warehouse aesthetic of the space.
All of the ideas reflected in the concept arts are designs and products that I could easily produce with my small team, from the lighting to the sculpt for the elephant. Although the project unfortunately did not move forward, I remain deeply enthusiastic about both Bircus itself and the potential it has for theming as they continue to establish themselves.