The paint puck is about to drop.
Nine art soldiers are training for battle, and Hub Space will be the battleground. Every year the Community Arts Council (CAC) hosts a competition for speed-painting supremacy and the 2016 edition is about to splatter downtown Friday.
Art Battle 2016 will see the trio format return to the event. In the three prior years, the tournament has existed, different locations and presentation styles have been tried, but CAC lead organizer Lisa Redpath believes they have found the right formula.
Three rounds of three painters each will be held - each one is 20 minutes long - with the fans voting for their favourite painting of each round. The three finalists will then compete in a final head-to-head-to-head paint-off where the winner takes all.
"We have a nice diversity in this year's competitors," said Redpath.
"We have a range of ages, male and female painters, returning and new artists."
This year's nine painters are: Erin Stagg, Lisa Marie Tosoff, Michael Rees, Perry Melenka, Carla Joseph Aubichon, Shae Morin, Trevor Stanley, Mandy Paavola, and Christina Harmer Watts. The latter five have been competitors in the past, the former four are new to the competition.
Two of the artists most in the spotlight going into the event are defending Prince George champion Watt, who went on to place second in the province at the Vancouver art battle, and Aubichon, who is the CAC's artist-in-residence.
The painter holding that post has won Prince George Art Battle two out of the past three years.
"That really says something about the artist-in-residence program," said Redpath. And Art Battle is another program the CAC has fostered for the benefit of artists and community alike.
Even if an artist doesn't win at Art Battle, the CAC has ensured there is reward for effort and talent. Each of the 12 paintings the event generates is auctioned off that night.
The CAC gets half the proceeds and the artist takes home the other half of the money, so that's another way for the public to register approval of these artists' works.
"The event has been so successful, on just about every level you could think of," Redpath said.
"And if you've ever been there to see it, you know it's this energizing, healthy party atmosphere, and it's all for art. We will have Andrea Palmer there again this year (aka DJ Rubytrout) as our emcee and deejay. We will have our I Support The Arts 50/50 raffle going on. The rounds of competition create this amazing sense of anticipation and excitement in the air. It's just a great time."
The event is open for all ages to attend. Tickets to attend and vote are $15 each (available in advance at Studio 2880). The Hub Space (formerly RBC and Home Work, located at 1129 Third Ave. at the corner of Quebec Street) doors open at 6:30 p.m. with light refreshments available.
