24 May, 2026

Painters scrap it out in second live art competition

Local entertainment… Ruby Jacobs sang at Devonport’s second “Art Battle”

Hitting the canvas… Devonport artist Payge Amor aka Liquid Slick in action at the ferry terminal

A second “Art Battle” in Devonport attracted plenty of spectators, prompting organisers to look at putting on a similar event with local schools.
Hundreds of people milled about at the ferry terminal to see and vote on the works being created by local and visiting painters.
The Art Battle title was retained by Agnes Ishak, who won the first such event in Devonport last year.
The Depot Artspace Choice Award went to North Shore artist Samira Javinshir, who wins a future solo show at the gallery.

Performers were also in action at the event as part of the village’s First Thursdays art evening for May.
Takapuna Grammar School musicians backed singer-songwriter Ruby Jacobs, who is now a university student; Sunnynook dancer Dylan Huata aka Blanc Phase managed to fit in a performance with competing in the painting rounds.
Liam Downes of Rockit Art and Events, which has brought Art Battles to New Zealand, said the turnout was impressive.
More than 300 people registered to attend and vote, with walk-ins resulting in an estimated total of around 600 attendees.
A further 200 online viewers also participated.

The Devonport Business Association said the event had spin-off benefits for town centre businesses, as did First Thursdays generally, especially in attracting people to enjoy local hospitality.
Downes said Devonport’s accessibility by ferry meant it was well placed to attract people from across the harbour such as Ishak.
She will go through to the Auckland regional final at Eden Park on 12 June.
Competitors take part in 20-minute rounds involving 12 artists at a time, with events free to attend and open to anyone brave enough to paint in public.
Works are sold via a silent auction, the artists keeping all sales proceeds.
Downes said he was in the early stages of creating an Art Battle Inter-Schools mini league, so further collaboration with TGS was in the pipeline.