Join Lanesboro Arts for a fast-paced, live painting showdown! This event will take place at Sylvan Brewing on Thursday, July 13th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. as part of the 30 year anniversary for the Lanesboro art gallery—now a part of Lanesboro Arts. There, six artists within this elimination-style tournament will create art and compete in real time. Attendees at this event will see art created right before their eyes in a raucous yet family-friendly environment. The six artists that will be competing in the Canvas Clash are: Steve DeLaitsch, Joan Finnegan, Jamie Harper, Stena Lieb, Hannah Tulgren, and Alan Wiltgen.
In the first round, two separate groups of three artists will compete against each other in their group. One winner will be chosen from the two groups to then compete against each other, crowning a winner. Rounds lasting 20 minutes each are observed by attendees, who will then vote on their favorites. Attendees will enjoy seeing art created right before their eyes along with enjoying their favorite beverage from Sylvan Brewing.
Not only do artists have an important part in this event, but the attendees do as well! All people in attendance are given three tickets when they arrive to be used to vote once between each round. A judges or voting table is set up in the space with six buckets (one for each artist). Attendees have five minutes between each round to vote for their favorite work by placing a ticket in corresponding artist’s bucket. Volunteers then count the number of tickets in each bucket and announce the artists that will advance or—if it is the final round—who has won.
A food truck will also be available for attendees of Canvas Clash. Admission for this event will be $20; tickets include a drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic).
About the artists:
Steve DeLaitsch: Creating art for Steven is like a marathon, it’s an activity that one pursues over time. It is about consistency of progress regardless of the challenges or difficulties. The experience of the creating the art is as important as the finish, although we all want to have an exceptional result. He’s as interested in the world and the process of creating as ever.
Joan (Joni) Finnegan’s artistic journey has included working in a variety of 2D art mediums-watercolors, acrylics, pastel, charcoal, oils and fabrics. She owned and operated a custom frame shop/print gallery for 18 years along with teaching painting classes. Lately, she works in both oils and watercolors, beginning with a miniature rough sketch on paper to work out the composition and lighting, moving to canvas or paper with brushes, paints and a vision. Her current collection of work focuses on studies from nature revealing the softer side of the outdoor world. She invites the viewer to step into her art and surrender themselves to the emotion of that moment, be it landscapes, waterscapes, or quirky portraits of country chickens and animals.
Jamie Harper, who also operates under the name Salvaged Medium, is a Winona-based artist that has been painting for almost a decade. Using only reclaimed materials, including recycled latex house paints and hollow-core doors, makes his work not only sustainable, but also gives it its most unique quality. Much of Harper’s work takes influence from nature. The subjects are painted on in a messy, yet sharp manner before he adds on an extra layer of splatters of color to give each piece its own unique mood. Harper has worked on large projects for Great River Shakespeare Festival, Boats & Bluegrass Festival and Charlie Parr. His work has been exhibited from Winona to the North Shore. facebook.com/SalvagedMedium
Stena Lieb is the full-time art teacher at Lanesboro Public Schools. A native of the Lanesboro area, Lieb graduated from LPS in 1997 and went on to major in K-12 Visual Arts at Winona State University, graduating with honors in 2002. A mother of five from a creative family, Lieb lives on a farm near Pilot Mound. She currently teaches classes in printmaking, journalism, fiber arts, elementary art, drawing & painting, and 7th & 8th grade art.
Hannah Tulgren is based in Decorah, Iowa. She is from River Falls, Wisconsin where she began her artistic journey. Her first love is watercolor. She is Luther College Graduate, Class of 2018. At Luther she expanded her portfolio into acrylics and oil painting. She graduated with majors in Art and Nordic Studies. This combination of interests is one she continues to re-imagine and develop. She paints abstract Nordic landscapes and is heavily influenced by her travels abroad and time living in Oslo, Norway. Currently as the Marketing Manager for Pulpit Rock Brewery, Tulgren is responsible for the creative content and all graphic design/branding. More than 50 product lines (labels, logos, companion marketing materials) are her artistic work.
Alan Wiltgen is an artist located in Burnsville, MN, and is originally from Harmony, MN. Alan describes his approach to his artwork as such: “The world that goes on inside all day long is a world that needs to be examined. Acceptance of our inner selves is growth. Through growth we heal. When we heal we are able to help those around us heal. For me painting is healing. It is the most honest way to bring my inside out. I treat painting as a form of communication. I accept everything; every drop of spilled paint and every wobbly brush stroke.”
To honor and celebrate the legacy of the Lanesboro Arts Gallery—and all of the artists, community members, and patrons who’ve contributed to it—we are also hosting a juried group show and special anniversary receptions. More information on our events calendar!