Art Battle Albuquerque pits artists against one another to crown the best in Burque

By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – Paintbrushes, blank canvases and a ticking clock come together as Art Battle makes its Albuquerque debut this weekend.

Art Battle Albuquerque brings 12 artists together for a live painting competition Sunday, Aug. 16, at Valle De Luna Event Center. Artists have just 20 minutes to transform blank canvases into finished pieces as audience members circle the painters, watch their work develop and ultimately vote on who moves forward.

Simon Plashkes, one of the co-founders of Art Battle, describes the competition as a much more active experience than simply watching artists work from a distance. “It’s a very kinetic event. It’s not seated. It’s not standing around watching somebody on stage,” says Plashkes.

The 12 artists will be divided between two preliminary rounds, with six painters competing at a time. Four artists will advance to a final round before one is crowned the Albuquerque champion. Audience members can also bid on the artwork created throughout the competition.

The inaugural Albuquerque lineup includes artists working across an array of styles and mediums. Plashkes explains that bringing Art Battle to the city has been a long time coming.

“Over the years, we’ve had lots of artists inquire in Albuquerque and saying that Albuquerque is such an artful place, look at our incredible talent. And of course, it’s true,” says Plashkes. “Albuquerque is known for its artistic and, in particular, visual art artistic talent. So, honestly, if anything, we’re overdue.”

For the competing artists, the ticking clock adds another dimension to the creative process. Plashkes emphasizes that first-time competitors often enter the event with some nerves, but the pressure can quickly push them into a different mindset.

“One thing that does seem to be a nearly universal experience is when that countdown starts, the round begins and the timer starts counting down, it sort of forces the artists into the zone,” says Plashkes.

Some artists tune out the crowd entirely, while others embrace the performance element, dancing or interacting with the audience as they work. Since spectators determine who advances, Plashkes explains that the experience of watching an artist create can also influence voting.

Beyond competition, Plashkes hopes watching a piece develop from a blank canvas will give attendees a closer connection to artists and the creative process. “With visual art, you usually only see the final product. Here, you’re seeing every single second of this work being created,” says Plashkes.

The Albuquerque event is also intended to be the beginning rather than a one-time stop. Plashkes emphasizes that organizers anticipate holding around three events during the remainder of 2026, followed by a possible six-event season in 2027.

Art Battle Albuquerque takes place Sunday, Aug. 16, at Valle De Luna Event Center (5401 Central Ave. NW). Doors open at 5 p.m. and painting begins at 6 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $25. The event will also feature audience voting, live auctions and a DJ set by Jaxsun Planet. Tickets and additional information are available through Art Battle’s Albuquerque website.