Tracie Thompson. Group Therapy, 2026. Acrylic on plywood, 4 x 8 ft.
Battle Of The Arts, Fall 2026
Location: Arts Complex Courtyard
Dates: November 7, 2026–September 2027
Battle Competition: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10am–6pm
Battle Results and Celebration: 6:30pm
The FGCU Art Galleries are proud to host the Battle of the Arts in partnership with Artsemble Underground. This annual event brings together teams of artists who collaborate live to create public mini-murals, with the competition taking place at a different venue each year. Fall 2026 marks the first time the event will be held at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Battle of the Arts provides a dynamic platform for artists of all ages to showcase their creativity, connect with the community, and collaborate with fellow creatives. During the event, teams will transform blank surfaces into vibrant murals while visitors experience the energy of art being created in real time.
Following the competition, participating artists will have their murals exhibited at the FGCU Arts Complex. The winning murals will be featured in the FGCU Arts Complex Courtyard for one year, and the top winner will receive the Battle of the Arts Trophy, an invitation to participate in the SWFL Mural Fest, and additional prizes.
To learn more, including how to participate, visit: artsembleunderground.com/battle-of-the-arts
Sponsored by Gene and Lee Seidler, the Wasmer Endowment, and WGCU Public Media.
