Local artist Aynsley Nisbet is looking to add another dimension to the healing power of her paintings by offering one of her works up to support a new rural women's shelter.
The Wild Rose Art Gala is being held today. The first annual charity art auction will see 25 paintings by 14 artists offered up to arts enthusiasts and people who just want to make the world a better place.
Nisbet was working at a local restaurant when gala organizer Anneita Kasowsky approached her to donate a painting to the cause. Nisbet knew about Sparrow's Hope through a Gazette feature story on women's shelters in June.
All it took to seal the deal was a little chat with her mom.
"My mom thought it was such a great idea. Her and I became really connected to the cause on our own," she explained, adding that she ended up donating a piece that reflects the rural environment landscape that reflects the natural boreal forest of the area.
All proceeds from the auction will go to support the Sparrow's Hope Women's Shelter.
The doors open today at 11 a.m. with the auction set to start at 4 p.m. Hazel Bluff Hall is located approximately eight kilometres west of Westlock, an hour northwest of St. Albert. Nisbet will also have a selection of her other works on display. To learn more, please visit www.facebook.com/events/143132525876700.
Artist ready for battle
This is a big day for Nataliya Bukhanova to go to battle – Art Battle. The Legal painter is set to take up her brush like an épée and knock off the competition one by one in a display of creative championship the likes of which have not been seen around these parts.
At least until now. Art Battle 64 is part of a growing series of such competitions being held across the country. The event runs like any sporting tournament with artists being given only a set quantity and assortment of paint, along with a canvas, to come up with the best masterpiece that they can muster in 20 minutes.
The audience gets to vote who passes on to the next round. At the end, there can be only one. That person gets the bragging rights of being Edmonton's first Art Battle Champion, a title that comes with a $100 prize and a spot in the Alberta Art Battle Championships to be held at a future date. A national championship takes place in July each year.
After the winner is announced, the paintings are then put up for a silent auction. Those that don't sell, well, they are destroyed on the spot, proving that there is an element of destruction to the proceedings akin to ancient Romans fighting it out in the Coliseum.
Joining her to vie for the glory of being the crowd favourite are "Just" Joe Clarke, Alex Labarda, Jamie Sutherland, David Shkolny, Pat Ennis, Krys Chiem, Taryn Helene Knetemen, Kelly Hygaard and Margaret Currie. A complete list of competitors was unavailable by press time.
Artist and co-founder Chris Pemberton explained that when he and Simon Plashkes came up with the concept in 2009, they were looking for a way to revitalize the cultural scene for painters. It's meant to improve Canada's arts scene, and offer up some fun at the same time.
"The basic philosophy is that each person has a personal preference in art. Art Battle allows the audience to make the choice. It stimulates the thought and the dialogue as to what each person appreciates in art," he began. "It gives the artists the unique opportunity to present their creative process from beginning to end for an audience."
Art Battles take place monthly in various cities in five provinces, including Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. This is the first one for Edmonton but the first Alberta one took place only two days before in Red Deer. Pemberton hopes to have all 10 provinces represented this year.
"We're just trying to create and continue what we started which is a national community for the arts. Alberta is very important to us and I think Edmonton is just an awesome city for the arts," he continued.
Art Battle 64 takes place from noon to approximately 2:30 p.m. this afternoon at the City Market in downtown Edmonton, located on 104 Street north of Jasper Avenue. Admission to spectators is free. To learn more, visit www.artbattle.com.
