By Taylor J. Hale
Reporter

STEVENS POINT — The talents and artistic prowess of a former Portage County local and UW-Stevens Point (UWSP) graduate have been called in by Stevens Point Brewery staff.

The brewery contacted Designer Jeffrey Kollock, of Jeff Kollock Design, last November to help create limited-edition cans for Point Special to help celebrate the newly established Point Special Day — Kollock was happy to assist one of his favorite breweries in the milestone event.

“I was excited primarily because it was a huge opportunity for myself,” Kollock said in an interview with the Gazette. “Not only will I be able to design for a beer that I have long enjoyed, but be able to develop artwork for the community and culture of Stevens Point.”

Kollock is from Bancroft and graduated from UWSP with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2016. He now resides in Minneapolis, but still considers Portage County his home. The designer sees Stevens Point Brewery as an asset to the city.

“Point Special has a great influence into the township,” Kollock explained. “Not just Point Special, but Point Brewery. It sort of acts as a flagstaff that put Stevens Point on the map for many people. When you drink Point, you drink in the mindset, community and culture of a hard-working town that subsequently flourished into the active area that it is today.”

Kollock’s original woodblock print.

Kollock was excited to work on the project, but this isn’t his first time collaborating with the respected brewery. It all started with a woodblock print the artist made of a Point Special can that was posted on social media. Brewery staff caught wind of his talents, and the pair’s relationship started.

“I designed the first t-shirt for their ‘Red Can’ giveaway,” Kollock said. “Everyone loved the project and design [and] they sought me out once again to develop the limited-edition can.”

The artists took inspiration from the feedback on his initial woodblock design and ventured forward. He feels that the new cans represent the area and the community.

“This derives from pure appreciation towards a hometown,” he said.

To learn more about Jeffrey Kollock and his work visit: http://www.jeffkollockdesign.com.

Contact Taylor J. Hale at [email protected] with Portage County news and information.