Since 2007, Rapid Growth’s publisher and Creston Grand Rapids neighborhood resident Tommy Allen has been hosting Art Battle for Community, an engaging art event with lots of laughter held in the heart of this old but growing neighborhood.
This year’s Art Battle for Community, sponsored by
616 Lofts, will have many fresh new changes at Grand Rapid’s biggest neighborhood fundraising event to date.
This event built around local artists, many from the Creston neighborhood, encourages artists to “battle” via the paintings they will create around a central theme over a compressed amount of time.
This year, participants will be playing for cash prizes. For the first time, one artist will also have a chance by way of the public voting to win a spot representing themselves and our city at a larger contest through a partnership with the international Art Battle brand.
At press time, this year’s artists include names like Kelly Allen, Erik Picardo, Terry Johnston, Jacob Zars, and many more, who all will be painting live for the public between 6 - 8 p.m. After that time, their artworks will go up on the auction block where the public will battle via an auction conducted by Allen to win the creation of their choice.
Advance tickets are only $12 and include a complimentary drink for any tier 1 or 2 beverage from the host venue, the Creston Brewery.
Unlike most art events, the relaxed setting of Art Battle for Community attracts a lot of the area’s politicians and community leaders who pop in to rub elbows with the most connected and involved hoi polloi of the city.
So if you have never witnessed an art battle or if you have not attended in a few years, this new location with all of the fresh upgrades (including a new silent auction of fine artist designed beer growlers,) this Art Battle for Community is sure to have something for everyone.
Art Battle for Community is a Hello, Neighbor project of the
Creston Neighborhood Association.