Armed with brushes and paint, a dozen artists will fight it out in support of the Shuswap Hospital Foundation.
A dozen artists have signed on to compete in an Art Battle that will take place Saturday, June 3 at the Westgate Public Market in the former Canadian Tire site.
Art Battle is a worldwide event, says sponsor Cathy Bradford, co-owner of the Barley Station Brewpub.
Since 2009, artists have been coming together at Art Battle Canada events across the country with the goal of turning a blank canvas into a wonderful creation, and to share the secrets of artistic process with voting audiences.
The movement has spread to more than 100 cities and six continents, with more than 1,000 events taking place from Brooklyn to Europe, South America, Asia and beyond, showcasing incredible creative talent, says Bradford.
”Live competitive painting connects and celebrates the local Salmon Arm creative community while supporting the Shuswap Hospital Foundation,” she says, explaining that the local art battle will take place in timed rounds. “The audience votes for winners, all works are then auctioned off and the winner of the event will qualify for the BC Championships in Vancouver on June 24.”
Artists will use the same acrylic paint but will be permitted to take their own tools such as brushes. They will participate in an initial 20-minute round of painting with five other artists. A second group of six artists will also paint for 20 minutes and the two winners from each round will battle each other in a final timed round.
One wildcard artist will be chosen on the night of the event from applicants in the audience.
“Some artists simply want to contribute to the hospital while others are doing it to challenge themselves; it’s pretty scary up there.” Bradford says, pointing out the space at the public market has been donated, Miekle Studio is providing the paint for free and Barley Station is donating beer for sale at the event.
Proceeds from Art Battle ticket sales and silent auction will go to the Shuswap Hospital Foundation, which will put the money towards a new $44,000 labour and delivery bed for Shuswap Lake General Hospital, an item that is on the foundation’s committed funding list for this year.
Fiona Harris, executive director of the foundation, says the Art Battle doesn’t just help improve care at the hospital, it also provides the opportunity to purchase a unique work of art.
Advance tickets are $35, include light food, and are available at the Barley Station Brewpub or by calling 250-832-0999. Tickets may also be reserved at www.artbattle.com.
