Art vs. Art is a truly unique art competition featuring side-by-side face-offs between same-day created paintings. The winner is determined by audience vote; the loser faces the “Wheel of Death” unless someone’s generous purchase can save the painting from a ruinous fate. Watch a video from last years' event on YouTube.

Here’s how it works:

STEP 1: PAINT!

For a $15 entry fee, competing artists (ages 21 and older) each receive identical materials (canvas, brushes, and paints) and four hours to paint. The public is welcome and encouraged to watch the painting for free.

This year's Paint Day takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at the Stutz Business Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

STEP 2: VOTE ONLINE

Paintings are photographed and posted anonymously online. Site visitors to artvsart.com vote for their three favorites from September 14-24, 2009. One vote per person or e-mail address. For major sponsors, the voting site provides a major opportunity to feature a linked logo on a site that attracts as many as 10,000 unique visitors.

The top 32 paintings with the most online votes compete for the Grand Prize of $3,500 at the Main Event in Indianapolis on Friday, September 25, 2009.

STEP 3: BATTLE IT OUT

During the Main Event at the the Vogue Theatre in Broad Ripple, audiences enjoy cocktails and DJ performances as their ballots for their three favorites narrow the 32 combatants to a field of 16.

Final judging involves four rounds of head-to-head competition. Two randomly selected paintings square off on stage as the audience cheers wildly for their favorite. The electronic applause meter sends the winner to the next round; the losing painting faces the threat of destruction (by chain saw, acid bath, samurai sword, etc.) as determined by a spin of the ominous “Wheel of Death.” A “losing” painting can only be saved from its impending doom if someone purchases the painting for the minimum purchase price. Artists take home 70% of the sales of their paintings.

The last painting standing is crowned the Art vs. Art 2098 champion and wins the big check, the title belt, a serenade, and bragging rights. .The stakes are high, but the rewards are sweet. Come support the arts like never before…or some art will die.