ANNEX X WILDER INSTITUTE: CONSERVATION BREW

Since 2021, we’ve been making small-batch Conservation Brews in partnership with the Wilder Institute, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to protecting endangered species, restoring ecosystems, and fighting the extinction of plants and animals. The Wilder Institute doesn’t just create safe spaces for animals at the Calgary Zoo; they have a global impact, supporting 27 species and 15 conservation programs around the planet.

Each brew features a key species that the Wilder Institute supports, with labels designed by a local artist. Thousands of cans have carried stories of different endangered species into Calgary’s restaurants, liquor stores, and homes.

The concept of caring for People and Spaces has always been a part of our ethos. That includes caring for the planet we live on and the animals that share it with us. We act with the knowledge that brewing as a practice is deeply connected to the wellbeing of the planet, and we do our best to make a positive impact where we can. That’s why we started the Conservation Brew, and why the project means so much to us.

“We want to make sure we are contributing to our community in a meaningful way and a part of that is trying to care for the places that we live, work and brew in. The Conservation Brew has been a very clear extension of those principles, pairing quality beer, art, and storytelling. We get to work with like minded people at the Wilder Institute to try to focus on very specific aspects of conservation and sustainability. It's been super fun to bring awareness to the Wilder Institute's work in a creative way, and It's been a real privilege to be the chosen partners.”

Andrew, Annex Co-Founder

This year, we’re launching the fifth beer in our Conservation Brew of the series. While previous brews have focussed on Canadian species, this year’s small-batch features the Mountain Bongo, a rare species of antelope found only in Kenya.

Did you know there are fewer than 60 mountain bongos in the wild?

Through community partnerships and deep-rooted trust, The Wilder Institute is working to bring back the Mountain Bongo from the edge of extinction while helping to protect the forests that provide an important ecosystem that millions of Kenyans rely on. We’re proud to raise awareness for both the Mountain Bongo, and the Wilder Institute’s conservation efforts.

For the launch of the fifth Conservation Brew, we also put a call out for a new artist. We were looking for someone who cares about conservation and quality as much as we do. Enter: Abi Osness.

MEET ABI

Abi is the artist who’s helping us bring the 5th Conservation Brew to life. They’re an illustrator and self-proclaimed bug enthusiast whose work is deeply inspired by Alberta’s wildlife and biodiversity. In their spare time, Abi likes cycling and birdwatching, and finding cool bugs in Calgary parks. They love reading–not just art books, but what they’d describe as “weird sci-fi books” too. Learn more about Abi’s work below:

What first got you interested in art and illustration?

I was a pretty bookish kid, also a nerd. A lot of the books I read included some pretty cool cover and concept art and I wanted to be able to do that too. Once I got social media, where I was introduced to many other artists, my interest in art really took off. Drawing has always been a big part of my life–I can’t think of a time where I didn’t bring a sketchbook with me everywhere.

What does conservation mean to you?

If you spend enough time with me, bugs will inevitably be involved. Eventually, with enough exposure, you may even start to like them too. Conservation to me coincides with the appreciation of nature. You can’t truly love the outdoors if you aren’t willing to protect it.

Can you tell us more about the work you do at the Bow Habitat Station?

Bow Habitat Station is an educational centre that promotes sustainability and environmental stewardship. Through my role there, I have created numerous graphics for onsite posters, their website, social media and newsletter. I really enjoy the art that I make there, as it focuses a lot on local biodiversity. Outside of the design work, I get to engage the public in environmental education and Alberta’s provincial stocking program.

Are there any other art forms that you enjoy or admire?

Art school gave me the opportunity to experiment with other mediums, where I humbly discovered that 3D art may not be my thing. I admire ceramics and fibre art, and anyone who finds lithography an enjoyable process.

What made you want to apply for this project?

For me, art school was a lot about exploring and finding your niche. I went into university not really knowing what I wanted to do, only that I knew art had to be involved in some way. Now that I’m a year out of finishing my degree, I’m starting to get a better idea of the kind of art I want to make. I really enjoy illustrating wildlife–especially when it's for a cause.

This opportunity really excited me–it's right up my alley. For a period of time, I thought I wanted to do scientific illustration, but I’m also someone who doesn’t enjoy drawing realism. It’s exciting to me to know that there are applications for my art where I can draw stylized wildlife.

See more of Abi’s work here.

Want to learn more about the species we’ve featured in the past? Check out our past Conservation Brews below! All previous artwork was created by the talented Ryan Jason Allen Willert, a Blackfoot artist and muralist living in Red Deer, Alberta.