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Golden Brush Art History with The Art Party 2025
Jul
Golden Brush Art History with The Art Party
A Creative Legacy in Motion
At the heart of Vancouver’s vibrant arts landscape lies an enduring and transformative partnership—Golden Brush Art and The Art Party. Together, these two organizations have built a rich legacy of inclusion, innovation, and celebration of local artists.
The Art Party started as a Facebook Group in 2010 by promoting The Drift – Art on Main Street, an annual event of local small businesses supporting local artists along Main Street, Vancouver. These events brought together 10,000+ community members to celebrate local visual and music artists in Mount Pleasant, Vancouver. The Art Party’s buy local post was shared 615 times and liked 64 times on The Art Party Facebook network.
This inspired the tagline: “Buy Local to Support Local Artists”.
The Origins of a Creative Movement
Golden Brush Art was founded in 2008 by visionary Kevan Seng. Inspired by community, collaboration, and the power of live painting competitions, Kevan launched Golden Brush Art where creativity could shine with public interaction.
One of the movement’s earliest breakthroughs came during an art calendar project celebrating 100 years of Chinese Canadian heritage. That moment of inspiration sparked what would become Golden Brush Art’s program, Battle of the Brush—Vancouver’s first and longest-running team-based live painting competition.
The inaugural event, staged in a Chapters bookstore with artists like Raymond Chow, Ron Sombilon, and Arlana Green, drew curious crowds and revealed a simple truth: art brings people together.
A Vision Fueled by Collaboration
Kevan Seng’s vision gained momentum through collaborations with artist and entrepreneur Jwon Suh. Their partnership—born on Grouse Mountain and reignited later—infused Battle of the Brush with fresh ideas and powerful community impact. From 2011 to 2018, the two curated dozens of events that explored themes ranging from abstraction to cultural storytelling. More than 300 artists participated during this time, turning Battle of the Brush into a launchpad for emerging and established creators. Winners received cash prizes, exhibitions, and unique gifts.
Battle of the Brush 45: Season Finale at The Shipyards
The Battle of the Brush events take place several times a year and have featured over 400 local artists to date. The upcoming Battle of the Brush 45, the season finale, will be held on Friday, October 17 at 8 PM PDT at The Pipe Shop, located at 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver, BC—right in the heart of The Shipyards.
The Pipe Shop is a spectacular 7,900 sq. ft. restored heritage building that serves as a dynamic venue for community events, retail markets, weddings, corporate gatherings, photoshoots, and more. With abundant natural light, original wooden beams, polished concrete floors, and festive lighting, it strikes the perfect balance between industrial chic and historical charm.
Guests can look forward to an unforgettable evening filled with live painting performances from eight teams of artists competing for glory. The winning team will take home the prestigious Golden Brush Award and a $500 cash prize, celebrating creativity, teamwork, and artistic excellence.
Crossing Borders, Connecting Cultures
The success of Battle of the Brush in Vancouver inspired international growth. In 2018, Kevan’s high school friend Tony Hu launched the first overseas edition in Beijing. Soon after, artist and advocate Ayni Nuyda brought the event to Manila, Philippines—proving that creativity knows no borders.
Today, Battle of the Brush is a global movement poised for further expansion, driven by a passion to unite artists and communities across cultures and geographies.
The Art Party Promotes Golden Brush Art
Since its incorporation as a society in 2019, The Art Party has played a key role in amplifying Golden Brush Art’s mission. Led by co-director Kevan Seng, The Art Party has provided promotional support and volunteers for dozens of Golden Brush Art exhibitions—under the Battle of the Brush program.
These two organizations have hosted over 40 events each, supporting over 400 culturally diverse artists, including Indigenous artists, members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and creators of all ages.
In 2020, The Art Party joined forces with the Digital IMPACT Festival, reaching 1.7 million people and raising over $23,000 for charitable causes. From engaging speakers like Earth Charter® representatives to fundraising for the Artist Relief Impact Fund, the event uplifted artists during COVID-19 and beyond.
A Gallery for the People: Capulet Art
Kevan’s impact on the arts community goes beyond events. In 2006, he founded Capulet Art & Framing, a space dedicated to showcasing bold Canadian art. Through curated exhibitions, custom framing, and art rentals, the gallery has become a trusted destination for collectors, designers, and curious visitors alike.
Kevan’s art journey began with a chance encounter at a Richmond bus stop where he met Vancouver art legend Raymond Chow. That meeting ignited his passion for artist representation and community advocacy, values that continue to shape both Capulet Art and The Art Party. Kevan has represented notable artists such as Dirk Marwig, Chrissy Cheung, and Raymond Chow to share their stories and expand their audiences.
Looking Ahead for Local Arts
In partnership with Capulet Art & Framing, The Art Party is preparing to launch accessible, inclusive skills training programs for live events, tailored for marginalized youth (under 25) and seniors (ages 55+). These two groups face disproportionate obstacles in the workforce, whether it’s limited experience for young adults entering the job market or systemic ageism that contributes to extended unemployment among older individuals.
The broader vision is to make Capulet Art & Framing more than a gallery—it will become a vibrant community hub for personal growth, social inclusion, and opportunity. By investing in skill development and artistic engagement, The Art Party continues to break down barriers and build bridges between art and everyday life.
As plans unfold for expansion into new cities, new collaborations, and artist-driven initiatives, the future of Capulet Art & Framing, Battle of the Brush for Golden Brush Art and The Art Party shines with possibility. Together, they remain steadfast in their belief that creativity can be a powerful catalyst for connection, change, and belonging.
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