Art Battle 748 Comes to Abbotsford for a New Season!

The Abbotsford Arts Council (AAC) is bringing the international Art Battle competition back to The Fraser Valley, January 18th at the Abbotsford Arts Centre! Once again, Abbotsford will play host to the creative competition that’s been operating in the UK, Italy, New Zealand, Japan and The Netherlands, with over 650 events in Canada since 2009!

The format is relatively simple: 12 painters will arrive that evening prepared to paint in one of two heats of 6 at a time, for 20 minutes, on a blank canvas with paints that are provided by the hosts. The contestants bring their own brushes, and once the countdown from 20 minutes begins, attendees rotate slowly around the 6 painters, watching their creations unfold in front of them, until the announcement comes that time is up. The attendees then have a brief voting period where they will cast their ballots to decide which of the two painters from that heat will advance to the evening’s finals.

Four painters compete in the final round, and the ultimate winner is eligible to join the regional Vancouver Art Battle in early summer, with the winner of that competition being afforded a chance to compete in Toronto’s National Art Battle competition on June 26th! Fraser Valley Music Awards Electronic category winner, Mission’s dj elixir, will be playing music as muse.

This isn’t the first time Art Battle has come to the Fraser Valley, as the AAC and CIVL teamed up with MODA Events to bring a series of battles to Abbotsford and Chilliwack between 2014 and 2016. Newly minted AAC Executive Director Jennifer Trithardt-Tufts says “We are so excited to host this event and connect thrill-seeking artists and spectators alike. We hope this competitive and fun event will showcase the playful side of painting and get people excited about local art in Abbotsford”

A facebook event for Art Battle 748 can be found here. Admission is $15 for students and $20 for general admission. This is a licensed event. $20