Two local painters have advanced to a regional art competition after tying for the win at the local level last Friday in Abbotsford.
Shannon Thiesen, a Grade 5 teacher at ASIA North Poplar Elementary, and Cynthia Dotinga-Dohms, whose child attends the same school, competed in the Art Battle event at The Reach Gallery Museum.
The event involved 12 painters creating the best work they could in 20 minutes using acrylic paint. There were three rounds, with the audience voting for their favourite painting at the end of each round.
The top two winners from each round competed in the finale at the end of the evening, resulting in Thiesen and Dotinga-Dohms tying for the win with 50 votes each.
They now compete at the regionals in Vancouver this June in hopes of advancing to the nationals.
Thiesen made it to the regional level last season after winning the Chilliwack Art Battle.
During the Art Battle competitions, all finished paintings are put up for silent auction.