Battle of the Brush at the Pipe Shop

Battle of the Brush is a live painting competition hosted by Golden Brush Art. The event took place at the Shipyards in North Vancouver in September 2024.

On September 27th the Pipe Shop on the North Shore was be the place to be if you like art, music and a fun time. The event will be back again in 2025, although exact details are to be confirmed.

Visit goldenbrushart.com for the event’s official website.

Battle of the Brush

Battle of the Brush in North Vancouver

Golden Brush Art hosts a number of live painting competitions each year. Their Battle of the Brush series started in 2008 and has been happening since then, except for a few years because of the pandemic. We went to one of their events a few years ago, when it was at Heritage Hall in Vancouver, and it was so good!

What To Expect

The Battle of the Brush event in September 2024 featured 16 artists split into teams of two. At the events each pair paints on one canvas at the same time, so they have to work together and blend their brushstrokes. Multiple teams compete on stage simultaneously as well. There’s a time limit, so things get intense pretty fast. In addition, there’s DJ music and a surprise show to enjoy halfway through the event. There is also a bar. It’s kind of like an exclusive nightclub setting, but with amazing art and painting for entertainment. It is most enjoyable and a cool experience!

At the event, after all paintings are finished, the artwork is displayed for everyone in attendance to see. Guests get to vote for their favourite pieces and collectively decide on a winner. The first place team receives $500 and the Golden Brush title. The art is also available for sale.

Battle of the Brush is a fun and exciting way to watch artists compete against each other. If you like art and watching experts at work, this is an event you won’t want to miss!

Note: This event is only for adults ages 19 and above. It’s a licensed event, meaning alcohol is available for purchase on site.

For more information about the event, visit goldenbrushart.com.

When and Where

The 44th edition of Battle of the Brush took place in 2024 on Friday, September 27th. The event ran from 8:00 pm until 11:00 pm. It was at the Pipe Shop which is located at 115 Victory Ship Way in North Vancouver. The venue is in the Shipyards District and just steps away from the waterfront. It’s also just a short walk from the SeaBus terminal which makes it very convenient to get to.

Future events may happen at different locations in Metro Vancouver. Exact details are to be confirmed.

Admission Details

Tickets for Battle of the Brush are available online. Prices vary depending on when you buy your tickets and how many you get at once.

For this past year’s event in September, early bird tickets sold for $15 each or $25 for two. Regular prices were $20 per person or $35 for two. That was a very reasonable price for the experience. In all cases, taxes and online fees were extra.

Savannah Heelis at Battle of the Brush in 2024

Featured Artists and Performers

This year’s event features music by DJ K-Rec. Nigel Mojica is the MC. There was also a mystery guest Half-Time Show performance (who turned out to be Savannah Heelis). The eight teams of artists competing at the 44th event are listed below.

Alex Beadle & Col Urrutia
Andre Barnwell & Brotha Jason
Farahnaz Samari & Sara Mahjouri
Flavia & Lori L
James Ritchie & Maggie Ritchie
Juan Vega & Garry Brookes
Taka Sudo & Jace Kim
Trueno & Justin Noriel

Tips and Advice

The following tips are good to know before going to Battle of the Brush in North Vancouver.

TIP #1: You’re allowed to bring almost anything legal to the event, except for alcohol (or illegal drugs, firearms, fireworks or anything else crazy ridiculous). This means you can pack snacks and non-alcohol drinks if you’d like.

TIP #2: The Pipe Shop is located about a five-minute walk away from the Lonsdale Quay SeaBus Terminal. It’s easily accessible by public transit. If you decide to drive, there are paid parking lots in the area including at the Lonsdale Quay Market. Street parking is also available.

TIP #3: If you’d like to make a full day out of the event, be sure to explore the Shipyards area. Check out Lonsdale Quay Public Market, the Museum of North Vancouver and the Polygon Gallery. There are also a number of restaurants nearby, such as Tap & Barrel, the Lobby and the Pier 7 Restaurant.

TIP #4: MONOVA: The Museum of North Vancouver is a very good museum. In addition to its museum displays, however, from late summer until early fall, the museum offers free walking tours on Wednesdays and Sundays. The tours are called Shipyard Pals and they run until mid to late October.