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ART CLASH 2025
Art Clash is back for 2025!! Elgin's signature live painting competition returns for another season of mind-blowing speed painting. And this year we've added a new wrinkle to the competition, monthly themes!
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2025 DATES & THEMES
February 22 - Identity
March 22 - The Sh*t Show
April 26 - Rebirth
May 24 - Wild
June 28 - City Final, theme TBD.
THINGS TO KNOW
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All works will be up for on-site auction, starting at $50.
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Any sales will be split 50/50 between SSSA and the artist.
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You will receive payment by the 15th of the next month.
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Any works that don’t sell will be on display for sale either in Made at Side Street or the rest of our Art Clash events in 2025, and you will receive payment for those sales as they come in.
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Top vote-getter of the night receives a cash prize based on the suggested donations at the door.
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All events will be held in the Theater at Side Street (not wheelchair accessible) located at 15 1/2 Ziegler Ct., downtown Elgin.
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$15 suggested donation at the door/$13 online presale (artists do not have to pay to compete)
At Side Street Studio Arts NFP, we strive to provide quality programming and ensure the success of our events. To support this mission, we have a no-refund policy for tickets. This policy helps us cover the costs associated with planning and hosting events, which are incurred regardless of attendance.We truly appreciate your understanding and support, as it enables us to continue offering arts opportunities to our community. If you have concerns or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're happy to help in any way we can.
TYPICAL CLASH SCHEDULE
6:45pm Artists arrive
ROUND 1
7:10pm - 7:30pm
Eight artists (random draw) have 20 minutes to paint
Following this round, paintings will be put on display for audience bidding and voting
Audiences will vote for the favorite of the round
7:40pm
Voting Closes
ROUND 2
7:45pm - 8:05pm
Eight artists (random draw) have 20 minutes to paint
Following this round, paintings will be put on display for audience bidding and voting
Audiences will vote for the favorite of the round
8:10pm
Round 2 voting closes
8:15pm
Audience vote announced - top four vote-getters from Round 1 and 2 move on to the final round
ROUND 3
8:25pm - 8:50pm
Four top vote-getters from the previous rounds have 25 minutes to paint
9:05pm
Voting and bidding close. Final announcement
9:10pm
The two top vote-getters announced, these artists move on to our city final 6/28/25.