It's an event like no other, lifting the art community to new heights from coast to coast. Art Battle Olds is back -- bigger and better than ever.
And in 2016 it's all in support of the Olds and District Hospice Society and Hope 4 MVC Kids.
The always exciting, high-energy live-painting competition will hit the stage March 19 at the Pomeroy Inn & Suites in Olds, and artists from throughout Central Alberta are encouraged to apply for battle.
Art Battle Olds 370, now in its third year, will select 12 artists to compete for audience entertainment and votes, during three 20-minute live-painting heats.
Competing artists create and finish a piece in 20 minutes. Audience members vote for their favourite artist or piece. Four artists with the most votes in the first two heats battle again in a third heat to decide a champion. The winner represents Central Alberta at the provincial competition and, hopefully, at the national competition.
Each piece will be sold at a silent auction that evening.
Competitors can paint the subject of their choice but are not allowed any reference materials during the competition.
Olds artist Jim Brown competed in the first two art battles, winning the 2015 competition, and will be applying to paint again.
“It's hard to resist,” said Brown. “You get a little addicted to it. There are so many positives – you push yourself. It's great exposure and you get to show what you can do. I never imagined I would enjoy doing something like this in a million years.”
Cali Beazley, Didsbury High School art and drama teacher and owner of Creatively Cali Art Studio in Didsbury, competed for the first time last year and can't wait to do it again.
“I didn't expect to be as nervous as I was last year. But I loved it,” said Beazley.
Beazley said the excitement from the audience sets this experience apart from anything she has ever done.
“As an artist the hardest thing is to have people look and judge your work. To have them watch your process, it's another thing altogether.”
Chris Pemberton, co-founder of Art Battle Canada, in its seventh season, said Olds is one of the smallest communities to host Art Battle, but certainly not the smallest audience.
“The support (in Olds) has been outstanding,” said Pemberton. “We were a little surprised at first with the great participation and audience attendance, but we know it's natural for a smaller community to band together with that special kind of energy, pride, enthusiasm and support.”
Pemberton said the quality of artists who participate nationwide is always exceptional.
“It doesn't matter where we are, the artists do an amazing job. Energy from the crowd and positive vibes really carries them in what they do,” he said.
Debbie Ohlhausen, owner of Different Strokes Gallery and coordinator for the Olds Art Battle said a change of location makes this event bigger and better.
She explained a donation of the ballroom at the Pomeroy Inn & Suites will provide more room for the audience and a better view of artists at work.
“This event is a fundraiser and all proceeds go to worthy causes, so the donation of the ballroom is a tremendous gift. The Pomeroy is such a strong supporter of community and arts in Central Alberta!”
Artist applications are available online at artbattle.ca
Tickets are $20 and are available online now at www.picatic.com/ab370-olds/
Tickets will be available Feb. 10 at Different Strokes Art Gallery in Olds, and at Pharmasave in Didsbury and Carstairs. There will be a limited number of student-priced $15 tickets available online. This event has sold out every year. Doors open at 6:30. Painting begins at 7:30 sharp.
All profits from this event will be shared by Olds and District Hospice Society and Hope 4 MVC Kids, say officials.
There are so many positives – you push yourself. It's great exposure and you get to show what you can do. I never imagined I would enjoy doing something like this in a million years."Jim Brown
