Gallery gears up for Art Battle North Bay

By Dana Westerberg

Art Battle returns to the WKP Kennedy Gallery Jan. 30.

Artists compete live – transforming blank a canvas to finished work, as audiences experience the spectacle and individual creations.

Art Battle is a global live art tournament and North Bay is on the map. Last year’s winner went on to be the Northern Ontario regional champion and represent the North nationally. Holly Marcie, our champion, was a finalist at Art Battle Canada.

Marcie is back to defend her title this year. It will be an amazing competition as she faces Sudbury’s 2018 champion Monique Legault, who made it to the national final in 2018. We are electrified knowing we have two national competitors up against 10 other eager and talented artists.

The way it works is we have two 20-minute rounds in which six artists at a time paint in front of the audience. When the time runs out, the audience votes for the winner of the round. The top two of each round move on the 20-minute final, when we crown North Bay’s second Art Battle champion. The winner will move on to regionals.

As an audience member, you have the power to select the Art Battle champion. You also have the opportunity to purchase an original artwork made in front of your eyes that night. At the end of each round, all art created will be available for silent auction.

Tickets are available for early birds ($15) at eventbrite.com/e/art-battle-north-bay-january-30-2020-tickets-83930695971. Tickets will also be available at the door for $20. Make sure to follow @ArtBattleNorthBay on Instagram to see shots of the amazing work that will be created that night.

With files from Alix Voz