By Mike Armstrong
Writer, Carbon County Comet
On July 20, the Saratoga Hot Springs Resort and Spa showed off their new cans designed by artist Travis Peak, who won the contest put forth last year by the resort’s Snowy Mountain Brewery.
Cheena Parsons, the general manager of the Resort said there were 18 contestants entered. All had to come from Wyoming. She said Peak was up against some talented artists, but he was the clear winner.
“We loved all the designs he put forth,” Parsons said. “He is a phenomenal artist and he is local to Wyoming, living up in Casper. We are proud of what he designed, we wanted to have a reception showing off his work.”
The Resort had Peak’s designer cans on display and besides offering a discount on the designer six-packs, the brewery was giving away free tastes of the beers featured in the cans, which included their White Buffalo Stout, their Aspen Alley Amber, their Altitude Apricot and their Treasure Island IPA.
Parsons said the reason these particular beers were picked, was as they were the top-selling.
“It was the driving factor in why they were selected,” Parsons said. “Plus Treasure Island and Aspen Alley are local places that create a bit more interest in the beer. These cans that have these local ties can be beers visitors want to take home after coming to Carbon County.”
Parsons said the reception on July 20 was a thank you to Peak and a chance for people to meet the talented artist.
Peak is an artist who is also the wrestling coach for Kelly Walsh High School, along with being the art teacher. He does have a website that shows off his artwork named tpeakart.com.
He entered the contest when a friend sent him an advertisement about designing the art for the cans.
“I really started doing my art about eight years ago and it started selling,” Peak said. “So I pulled together a website and now people have access to what I can do.”
Peak remembers back to when he won last year.
“The Resort told me to come for a dinner and a lot of artists were there,” Peak said. “Then they announced the winner and it was me.”
Peak said it did take a little time for the cans to be made, but seeing them displayed at the debut of his work, makes the waiting all worth it.
The way the six-packs were selling, the attendees felt the same way.
