Artists set to Conquer the Canvas

Provided by City of Cornwall
Artists set to Conquer the Canvas
City of Cornwall photo.

CORNWALL, Ontario – Fierce competitors working against the clock and against each other is not something usually associated with art. But on June 15th, dozens of artists will battle for the grand prize in Cornwall’s first ever Conquer the Canvas event.

“We’re going to be showcasing art in a whole new way,” said Tracy Davies, a Director with Your Arts Council, the organizer of the event. “It’s going to be an amazing party with artists painting and competing in real time and spectators milling around them and helping to select the winners.”

Conquer the Canvas will be held from 6 pm to 11 pm at the Benson Centre on Saturday, June 15th. Tickets are on sale now for this high-energy event where visual artists compete in twenty-minute timed rounds of painting while audience members cheer them on as they create their masterpieces.

During each round, a surprise element will be thrown in to challenge visual artists and encourage them to think on their feet. At the end of each round, audience members will select a winning painter from each group, and that member will move on to the final round of six competitors. The two winners of each round will be awarded a cash prize of 100$. In the final round, the remaining three adult painters, and three student painters will compete to take home the grand prize of first place (500$), second place (200$) and a trophy. Between rounds, the paintings will be auctioned off and 30% will go to the artist.

In many ways, this event is like a marriage between the art and sports, since it includes both competitors and a loud, engaged crowd. Similar to a sporting event, Conquer the Canvas will use scoreboards, goal lights, a goal siren, a large screen projecting the action, a mascot, and a fun and energetic master of ceremonies to make the competition even more exciting. The event will also feature popular music, theatrical performances, and a 50/50 draw. Beer, wine, and food will be available for purchase.

This event will raise funds towards the proposed new arts and culture centre in Downtown Cornwall and organizers are hoping it will grow into an annual event.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance at the Civic Complex Box Office (open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm) or at the door on the day of the event.  Tickets can also be purchased online through Ticketpro.

Share this article