#artblitz

ArtBlitz 4: A DIY Creative Showdown with a Mission in Orlando

If you were anywhere near Arena Art Bar last weekend, you likely felt the buzz radiating from inside as the 4th Annual ArtBlitz turned up the heat. Eight artists faced off in a head-to-head creative battle, where paint flew, the music bumped, and the crowd held their breath to see who would emerge victorious. But ArtBlitz is more than just a competition—it's a project born from a love for creativity and community.

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John Q, one of the masterminds behind ArtBlitz, has been pushing this event since 2018. “We did two rounds before COVID hit,” he said. “Afterward, it was tough to find venues that made sense financially, but we knew we wanted to bring it back. The first post-COVID event was a hit, and now here we are with ArtBlitz 4.”

But John didn’t do it alone. His long-time collaborator, Kyle, joined forces with him to bring the vision to life. “Me and Q met about five or six years ago at the Social,” Kyle explained. “The owners wanted to give the staff a chance to run passion projects, so we thought, why not put on a live art battle with local artists and some chill music? It turned out to be way bigger than we expected.”

The structure of ArtBlitz is straightforward but high-pressure: artists have 30 minutes to create a piece in the first two rounds, with votes split 50/50 between the audience and hidden judges. The top two artists from each round move on to the finals, where cash prizes are awarded.

“It's not just about winning,” said Kyle. “We wanted to give these artists a platform. The first time we did it, some of them sold their work, and that was the goal—getting them exposure and helping them make connections. Even if we didn't make much money from the event, that alone made it worth it.”

John Q echoed this sentiment, saying, “What I love about ArtBlitz is watching people do things I can’t do. It’s just exciting to see these artists come in and create under that pressure. It’s a vibe, and we’ve been fortunate to have such a great turnout.”

Part of what makes ArtBlitz special is the culture around it. “John is the glue,” Kyle added. “He’s built a community with his radio show, events, and just being a connector for people who love local art and music. That’s why this event has grown.”

With a DIY spirit and punk-rock attitude, both Kyle and John have managed to turn ArtBlitz into something more than just an art event. “We’ve always been about taking our own path, saying ‘screw the traditional way,’ and doing things our own way,” Kyle said. “That’s the heart of this event—giving local artists a space where they can break through and show off what they do.”

As for the future? Expect to see more of ArtBlitz. With quarterly events planned, the art battles will continue to bring out Orlando’s finest talents. “Follow us on Instagram at @artblitzorl to catch the next one,” John Q said. “We want this to keep growing, and we’re always looking for fresh artists.”

If you missed out on the action this time, don’t worry. The next round of ArtBlitz is just around the corner. Whether you’re an artist or a fan, this is one Orlando event you won’t want to miss.

Art Blitz here again, thought I would pick up on some perspective experiment.

Jasper is the alter-ego of performer and artist McKay Bram. Jasper's first showing will be Saturday, August 9th, 8:00-10:00pm at Press Coffee and Tea Lounge. 

If an alter-ego is a second personality of a person, then Jasper aims to catch the moment of transition, from one ego to another. Jasper is defined by the continuous changing, not by the end result of the change.