Art Clash is back for 2026!
Art Clash is the largest live painting competition in the Fox Valley! Audience members vote for two winners from each clash. The eight finalists will come together in our City Final on June 27th, 2026.
*New This Year: We have adjusted the voting system and changed how artists make it to the final round on a given evening.
*Each Round the audience gets to vote for their two favorite paintings.
*After each Preliminary Round a number of artists are eliminated based on voting results (number dependent on total number of artists competing).
*The second round eliminations are based on the cumulative voting of both preliminary rounds.
*In the final round, the previous points are wiped, and anyone still painting can win.
CASH PRIZES!
DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO CLASH?
Paint, canvases, cleaning supplies, and easels will be and must be provided by Side Street Studio Arts. We know some would like to include other mark making tools, such as markers, and they are allowed as long as they are provided by Side Street. You are welcome to request such things ahead of time; we will do what we can, but keep in mind, the main focus of this competition is painting, and we can not guarantee we can provide specific tools.
You are welcome to bring your own brushes, but no special equipment, tools, or supplies.
ART CLASH DATES:
February 21 - Love and Hate
March 21 - Timelapse
April 11 - Illusion
May 16 - Verdant
City Final - June 27 - Themes To Be Determined by wheel spin the night of.
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NEW FOR 2026
This program is offered on a Pay-What-You-Can basis to keep our doors open and our community creative.$18 reflects the true cost of this program, but you’re welcome to pay more or less based on your circumstances. If $18 would be a stretch, please contribute what you can. If you’re able to give a little more, your support helps ensure these programs remain accessible to others. Every contribution—at any level—helps sustain the space and the work happening here.
(ARTISTS DO NOT HAVE TO PAY TO COMPETE)
Visit us online or click the link in the event for tickets and to register to paint!
#supportlocalart
#artclash
#2026
#downtownelgin
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