Without Saying - Artist Collaboration & Beer Release

It goes 'without saying'  that community and inclusion are important to us here at Winterlong.  That's why we jumped at the chance to become a supporter of Teegatha'Oh Zheh as a 'Patron of the Arts' sponsor.  Teegatha'Oh Zheh or TOZ as they're known, is a Yukon non-profit organization that has supported people with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1989. Recently they opened a progressive art studio at their location, and as part of our sponsorship we were able to licence the artwork of one of their artists for the label of a brand-new beer.

We are very excited about this partnership and are proud to showcase the artwork of Ernest Chua, a self-taught, local autistic artist, who has been very prolific in Whitehorse as of late. He had an art show at the Yukon Arts Centre in 2025, called Without Saying.  We thought the title of the show was the perfect beer name for this collaboration, with Ernest being non-verbal and instead being able to express himself with his art.

The label showcases an untitled acrylic on canvas of Ernest's from 2025. The original piece is 48" x 60" to get an idea of scale. We were drawn to the bold colours and portraits of people, providing a vibrant, community feel.

 

 

ARTIST BIO

An artist bio was provided by the TOZ Art Studio Coordinator, Phoebe Rohrbacher: 

• Ernest Chua, born in 1990 is a self-taught autistic, Canadian artist. His paintings navigate representation and abstraction, through densification by deep layering. His complex visual-lexicon stands at odds with his preference not to speak. Ernest bases his practice out of Teegatha'Oh Zheh Progressive Art Studio.

To learn more about Ernest and his and his family's journey, see his website that showcases not only his other art, but also his  accomplishments in sport: https://ernestthetriplea.com/ 

FUN FACT!  He has represented Canada at the Special Olympics World Games winning medals in both winter and summer sports! To help other families with children with autism, Ernest's parents have shared their journey, with it's ups and downs. 

Since October is Autism Awareness Month in Canada, this was the perfect time to celebrate this accomplished young man and his family and caregivers. Those who live with autism deserve every opportunity to participate fully in our communities and they are so important to enriching our society.  

 

ABOUT THE BEER

The beer we have chosen to brew is a new style to the brewery, a West Coast Pilsner. The pilsner base recipe offers a crisp and clean canvas on which to showcase some bold and flavourful hops - Nectaron and Krush for a hoppy West Coast influence. We are very much excited to taste the beer as it comes along and to share it with you all.

In addition to the licencing fees for use of the artwork on the label, we will be donating $2 from every 4-pack sold back to the Ernest. 

 

RELEASE EVENT

To celebrate the release of this beer, we are inviting the community to join us while hosting the artist, their family and the folks from TOZ, and showcasing the original piece of art in the tasting room, along with another art piece of Ernest's.  

When?  Friday, October 16th 5-7 pm

What? Check out the art, celebrate the artist, try the beer, and purchase some to take home. Free tastings will be provided.  There will also be post cards and t-shirts for sale with the art as an additional fundraiser for the TOZ Artist Studio.