Art
Culture Envy: Art Battle returns showcasing competitions between local painters – The Runner
For almost two years, Art Battle was postponed due to the pandemic.
Like most in-person events, the series that brought local artists and the community together for an evening of friendly competition and entertainment had to go on hiatus as health regulations prohibited gatherings. But this year, Art Battle returned to The Red Room in Vancouver following the guidelines in British Columbia’s provincial health orders.
Art Battle event producer and social media manager Lindsay Rae Meier said there were challenges preparing for the event.
“The set-up for the event is much different than our normal style. Generally, walking around and mingling is encouraged,” Meier wrote in an email to The Runner.
Restrictions included having the artists be on a stage at the front of the venue instead of in the middle of the floor, she said.
Before the pandemic, the event was broken into three rounds of painting, with five painters in a circle constructing their best work in 20 minutes. The audience would walk around observing the artists, and at the end of each round, they would vote for their favourite artwork. The crowd also has the opportunity to bid on the work to take home, and $250 is awarded to the winner in the final round.
With the restrictions, Meier said her favourite part about Art Battle is the atmosphere and community feeling.
“It’s a safe space for artists and art lovers alike to come together, interact, and have fun. I also love seeing what the artists can create in just 20 minutes as well,” she wrote.
Jenna Cowie-Randle, a visual artist from Abbotsford, was excited to hear Art Battle was returning to Vancouver again.
Cowie-Randle specializes in graphic and dark art, using mainly acrylic paints and illustration pens. Her inspiration comes from, but is not limited to, comic books and album covers.
“I’m so excited to actually have the opportunity to participate again,” says Cowie-Randle. “It’s just a really fun, lively atmosphere … it’s a great way to meet other people that are doing the things you’re interested in, so I just wanted to get back into that.”
“It’s so nice to know that there are a lot of other people and a community of people that like to do what you do as well. It’s like this team feeling.”
Although she is under a time crunch, she says preparation is key in managing the 20-minute time frame.
“Sometimes it’s difficult to come up with a plan or know what kind of ideas you might want to do in that moment. But I find if I have a blueprint or a template in my head of what I want to do, then it really helps the time management of 20 minutes.”
Danica Noort, a visual artist in Maple Ridge and a participant since 2017, says being a part of the event helps artists promote their work.
“Sometimes as artists, a lot of people can end up working from their studio or from home and you end up not being able to really see many people or really expose yourself to the public or get to see people in the community as well,” says Noort.
“I was looking for an outlet to be able to participate in a more public realm.”
Noort says from her times competing at Art Battle, one memory that resonates with her is when a spectator purchased her art from the show.
“It actually sold for the highest price in the auction that night,” she says. “But afterwards, the person who bought it came up to me and wanted to take a picture, and they were really excited to have the artwork to be able to take home with them.”
It’s important for artists to have these events to get them out of their comfort zone and have fun, Noort says.
“It pushes people outside of their comfort zones a little bit, and I know that’s a rather stressful thing for some people,” says Noort. “But I think that it’s kind of nice for people to not take themselves too seriously sometimes.”
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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