Art showdown: 12 artists duel in live painting competition at Ormond Brewing

Michelle Delisle wins the first ArtBattle in the season series presented by The Creative Chapter, Inc.

  • By Michele Meyers
  • | 2:15 p.m. September 23, 2026
  • Ormond Beach Observer
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Twelve artists gathered for a showdown at Ormond Brewing Company on Saturday, Sept. 19. They were there to battle — ArtBattle, that is.

And Ormond Beach artist Michelle Delisle emerged victorious. 

ArtBattle is live competitive painting. Twelve artists are divided into two rounds consisting of six artists in each. They have 20 minutes to bring a blank canvas to life in their own creative style while the audience circles the easels and chooses their favorite. Audience members then scan a QR code with their phone and cast their votes. Two winners from each round advance to the final round of four. The winner of the final round is named the night’s champion and takes home the grand prizes.

This is the first in a series presented by The Creative Chapter Inc., a nonprofit organization founded by president Stephanie Gonter and vice president Angel Lowden, in partnership with ArtBattle International. Gonter and Lowden will host ArtBattle Ormond Beach-Daytona events for the next two seasons through a two-year contract with ArtBattle.

Gonter owns the Novel Tea Book Shop, which has partnered with The Studio by Angel Lowden to establish a space where people can enjoy each other’s company while creating art, listening to local authors’ lectures, nibbling on baked goods, or perusing local artists’ work. They launched The Creative Chapter Inc. as a platform to build community relationships through the arts and creative experiences for all ages.

I am so happy — this is a check off my bucket list." — MICHELLE A. DELISLE, winner of ArtBattle

Art pieces made during the competition will be auctioned off, with a percentage of proceeds going to the participating artists and to The Creative Chapter, Inc. The nonprofit’s programs currently include Teen Book Club, Teen Writing Club, Teen Photography Club, Pre-Teen Art Club, community art programs, writing groups, and book clubs.

Round one artists included Delisle, Sandy Vibes, Mimi Nealy, Jamie Dorie, Rachel Caldwell, and Natasha Callahan. Delisle and Callahan advanced to the final round.

Delisle said her friend Teri Althouse, co-founder of Art Spotlight, encouraged her to go for it. This was Delisle’s first ArtBattle competition.

“I’ve been wanting to do it (ArtBattle) for 15 years,” Delisle said. “And then I didn’t have my studio because I moved, and then COVID, and then I moved to Florida, and I was like, I’m doing it; you only live once.”

Artists Eleisha Tabares, Jess Shippee, Dayva!, Jasmine Wisz, Scott Burdick, and Ryan Houman competed in round two. The audience voted to move Shippee and Houman on to the final.

Callahan’s brightly painted pelican, Delisle’s black bird and nest cradling a pale blue egg, Shippee’s blue heron, and Houman’s landscape derived from smoke brought each of the final round of canvases to life. The audience bestowed bragging rights and the win on Delisle and her black bird.

“I am so happy — this is a check off my bucket list,” Delisle said.

Delisle received a $500 cash prize and a two-night, three-day stay at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, this season’s ArtBattle sponsor.

Art has always been part of who Delisle is. She said she knew she had “something”, and that going to art school was a necessity. She earned a degree in illustration, started a product design company, and owned a gallery in Toronto. She sold her company, which enabled her to invest in real estate and become a full-time artist.

She said that when she moved to Ormond Beach two years ago after living in the Hammock, she felt welcomed.

“I love Florida, I love Ormond, and I want to give back,” she said. “This town and Daytona Beach took me in even though I’m an outsider. Art Spotlight became my second family. They taught me and introduced me to the Florida Women’s Art Association.”

Delisle is currently the vice president of the Florida Women’s Art Association.

Gonter said more than 350 people attended the first ArtBattle of this series.

“We’re still calculating everything, but it’s safe to say we raised $5,000 for The Creative Chapter, Inc.,” she said.

The Creative Chapter, Inc. will be hosting the next Ormond Beach-Daytona ArtBattle on Dec. 19 at Ormond Brewing, the series’ presenting partner. The regional competition will take place next year at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach on March 6.

 

×

Your free article limit has been reached this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited digital access to our award-winning local news.