Working with Local Artist Payne Stranahan on Our 2026 Pride Merch Design
At Highland, we celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community everyday, and Pride Month is an opportunity to amplify that energy through community, creativity and giving back. For 2026, we partnered with Asheville-based artist Payne Stranahan (they/them) to create a Pride merch collection that feels as meaningful as it is eye-catching.
Payne is a local tattoo artist at Chrysalis Collective in Asheville, making them a familiar and beloved creative voice in the area. Collaborating together meant highlighting local talent while creating something truly special for Pride Month.
The result is a limited-run lineup featuring a t-shirt, sticker and pint glass — available in our merch store and online while supplies last. A portion of proceeds supports a cause close to home through Helpmate, one of our Thirst for Good partners providing domestic violence services across Western North Carolina.
A Pride Design Rooted in Nature
Payne’s design stands out right away. It is thoughtful, detailed and a little unexpected — blending vibrant Pride energy with scientific illustration.
“My goal with this design was to draw attention to examples of queerness in nature, in an effort to highlight its beauty as well as its normalcy,” Payne shares. “We are surrounded by queerness in the natural world, and everything has its rightful place.”
The artwork features labeled elements inspired by real-life examples of queerness in nature, mimicking the look of a textbook diagram. The result invites curiosity while celebrating identity in a way that feels both educational and empowering.
“I wanted it to encourage viewers to look further into each element and understand why it was chosen.”
From Concept to Can’t-Miss Merch
Transforming original artwork into brewery merch is always a special process, but this collaboration hit differently.
“I was very excited to be approached for this project,” Payne says. “Seeing my artwork on the actual merchandise felt a bit surreal. It’s a huge honor, and it makes me so happy to see how the community has enjoyed it.”
Each merch item (t-shirt, pint glass and sticker) carries elements of the same intentional design. It is Pride gear that feels personal and oh-so Asheville.
What’s in the Glass?
We asked Payne what they were enjoying out of their Highland pint. “Highland Haze! It’s genuinely my favorite local beer.”
Highland Haze was first brewed in 2024 to launch Highland’s Thirst for Good campaign which benefitted hospitality workers in WNC who were affected by Hurricane Helene.
We will cheers to that.
Pride in Asheville Hits Different
For many in our region, Pride Month has a distinct energy — one that blends celebration, acceptance and a deep sense of belonging.
“Asheville is kind of an oasis for the LGBTQIA+ community,” Payne explains. “There’s a sense of warmth and celebration everywhere, and it reminds me of just how special of a place this is.”
More Than Merch: Pride in Action
In addition to this epic merch release, Highland hosted community events that brought people together in true summer fashion:
- Pride Volleyball Tournament
- Pride Disc Golf Tournament
These events created space for connection, competition and celebration — all while reinforcing what Pride Month is really about: showing up for each other.
Why This Collaboration Matters
This project represents what we care about most:
- Supporting local artists
- Uplifting community voices
- Giving back through Thirst for Good
- Creating experiences our community is proud to be part of
Payne’s design captures all of that in one thoughtful, beautiful collection.
“I like that it’s a bit different than typical Pride merch,” Payne says. “It makes you think.”
We agree and are so gracious to Payne for collaborating with us this year.