CANMORE – With the clashing of paintbrushes on canvas and explosion of paint, artsPlace’s Creative Combat is back for its annual fundraiser party.
Twelve local artists are set to face-off in a unique painting battle, split into two 20 minute rounds. Throughout the first round, people are asked to vote for their favourite piece of art and whoever receives the most votes, moves on to the next round.
“It’s just a super fun, wild party. There’s great food, great people and great music and then of course, it’s super entertaining to watch these amazing artists pull off a super cool piece of art in 20 minutes,” said artsPlace fund development manager Becky Lipton Fournier.
While people can watch local artists go head-to-head for the fifth year of the annual fundraiser, artsPlace will be announcing the artist ambassador program where people can donate on behalf of their favourite artist.
“But really the artists are able to express why it is they’re standing up for artsPlace and why they’re doing this and why they’re putting themselves on the line to support what we do and they’re asking the rest of the people in the community to also do so,” Lipton Fournier said.
All proceeds from Creative Combat are used towards art programming and workshops organized at artsPlace.
For nearly 33 years, Patti Dyment has been working as an artist in the Bow Valley and she also runs art classes at artsPlace. Throughout her time as an artist, Dyment said that before artsPlace, there wasn’t really a central community hub for arts and creativity.
“ArtsPlace is just so supporting – it’s such a huge luxury to have. [It’s] a place in our community that provides programming where adults and kids can learn and practice arts and crafts. It’s amazing. The programming they do for entertainment – the music, the comedy – we’re there quite a bit. So I want to support it,” Dyment said.
Each year Dyment has participated in Creative Combat, which she said helps test her artistic skills. It forces artists to step out of the box and attempt different techniques that they wouldn’t usually do in their everyday practice.
“When you time things, it opens you up to different ideas and it keeps your painting practice more fresh and more stimulating,” Dyment said.
While the fundraising event is set up like a competition, Dyment said it’s important to remember one thing.
“Remember that it’s just all for fun. It’s not about competing with other people, it’s about giving a good show. You want to entertain the partygoers – that’s job one. Creating fun is job one,” she said.
Artist Katie Barron is doing just that with her debut year at Creative Combat – just having fun with it.
Armed with her paint brushes, a palette, a permed brown wig and some trademark catchphrases in her back pocket, Barron will be posing as the famous painter, Bob Ross.
“I might do like a little brush wiggle on the easel and say, ‘beat the devil out of it’ or ‘happy little trees,' ” Barron said.
As an emerging artist in the Bow Valley, Barron got her start with artsPlace through its RISE Emerging Artist Program. Earlier this year, she held her first solo exhibit, Odd and Unusual, while also receiving mentoring support.
“But to me personally, they’ve been a really big supporter of early career support for professional development … ArtsPlace has been more than just a kids artwork camp community centre. It’s been also professional development and a place for professional artist to get their feet on the ground,” Barron said.
Creative Combat will be on at artsPlace next Saturday (Oct. 19) from 6-10:30 p.m. To support artsPlace on behalf of your favourite artist, visit artsplacecanmore.com/whats-on/details/creative-combat-5.0.
