It was a day for the youth at North Bay’s second official Art Battle on Sunday. Eleven artists went head-to-head at New Ontario Brewing in a speed painting competition not for the faint of heart. It was a fast-paced battle hosted by Scarlet Diaz of Scarlet’s Secret Experiences and Karrie Emms of Gateway to the Arts. The day also featured DJ Shelby Watson during the event.
This weekend the event saw some of the youngest artists in Art Battle history compete. Acer McCarthy who attends West Ferris Secondary School, put on a strong showing in round one with a painting of a gorgeous mallard duck and was followed up by Phoenix George who attends St. Joseph’s Scollard Hall who completed a soft and lovely painting of a cat in round two as well as the youngest competitor Emily Summerton who is going into grade 8 at West Ferris Secondary who stepped in under pressure to compete with just 20 minutes notice.
In the end four artists ended up advancing to the finals including Phoenix George who beat out her mother veteran painter Jesse George in order to advance, Cecilia Chan of Ottawa who specializes in landscapes, Victoria Primeau who is a North Bay native and Natalie Vallee-Nicolls of Sturgeon Falls who competed in her first battle.
“It is a huge accomplishment to advance to the finals, you also have to be able to think quickly and come up with a second painting in a very short time frame and then go through the second round after waiting to see if they advanced,” said Emms.
Each painting completed was available through a live auction and paintings not sold will be available for purchase at Gateway to the Arts and Nick’s Place for Us at 157 Main St. W. The proceeds from the paintings are split between the host organization and the artists.
The next Art Battle North Bay will take place August 25 at the Raven & Republic at 6PM. Tickets are available on Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-battle-north-bay-august-25-2023-tickets-665728039487?fbclid=IwAR0OUNxe6wpXYY1-dmVYwBlWE_beGvaa2zISzupaVo-ASVVBjwk_DF80EhY early bird pricing is available for a period and tickets are limited to 100 attendees.
Art Battle North Bay is proudly sponsored by High Class Variety, Scratch E. Wear, The Hampton by Hilton, Northgate Square, and The Raven & Republic.
“We are so thankful to our community sponsors who make it possible to hold this event and bring an amazing art experience to the city. Art Battle creates such a thrilling experience and brings a new way to enjoy art to the city. The competition is also allowing us to complete renovations and run youth programming,” says Emms.
