Those looking to showcase their skills in the realm of art can take their talents to downtown Fort Myers next week as part of an annual event.
The Battle of the Arts, presented by Artsemble Underground, ignites Music Walk in Fort Myers and marks the official kickoff to the Southwest Florida Mural Festival.
The Battle of the Arts is an all-day live painting competition that takes place Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. directly in front of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center.
As Music Walk fills downtown with live performances and community energy, artists from across Southwest Florida will create large-scale works of art in real time on 4-by-8-foot panels provided by Artsemble Underground. The event is free and open to the public, giving guests an opportunity to watch the creative process up close, meet the artists, and enjoy one of Fort Myers’ most vibrant cultural nights.
“Every year is very exciting,” said co-founder of Artsemble Underground, Cesar Aguilera. “Some artists are new, some have been doing this forever. Everyone becomes friends, and you get to meet new people. Even people passing by, they become collectors sometimes. It’s a great day of showcasing art for the city.”
Aguilera, along with Brian Weaver, said thanks to an annual arts grant, Artsemble Underground provides materials and support for the artists.
“Battle of the Arts isn’t just a competition — it’s about uniting our artists, celebrating creativity, and fostering community pride,” the co-founders said in a prepared statement.
When the battle comes to an end at 6, the celebration moves to the “Backstreet Party” behind the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center — the heart of the night’s entertainment. The party will feature live music, performances, food and drink, artist meet-and-greets, and more.
There will be four winning artists announced at 7:30 on the main stage, determined by a panel of celebrity judges.
The four selected artists will move forward to paint full murals on curated walls throughout the downtown area, with Aguilera and Weaver stated the art supports local businesses, beautifies the city, and contributes to the cultural and creative growth of the community.
Artsemble Underground is still accepting artist applications, with each battle typically featuring 15 to 20 talented artists, and the winners from each battle move on to receive walls for the fourth annual Southwest Florida Mural Festival in April of 2026.
There are two Battle of the Arts competitions prior to the festival, with the second taking place in January.
“Our mission is to bring the community closer to local artists, connecting our Southwest Florida artists, including those based in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and surrounding areas, while also supporting downtown businesses,” said Aguilar and Weaver in a joint statement. “Our goal with all the murals we are creating in this concentrated area is to establish downtown Fort Myers’ first Art District, creating a vibrant, Wynwood-style atmosphere that celebrates creativity and transforms the urban landscape. We are proud to say that Artsemble Underground is responsible for the majority of murals in the downtown area, contributing to the city’s growing reputation as a hub for public art.”
Aguilar, who is also a curator at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, said the art scene in Fort Myers and Southwest Florida is one that is thriving and growing.
“I think Fort Myers has a really rich art community full of amazing artists,” he said. “Though artists don’t have many places where they can display their work. That’s why we created Artsemble Underground, to create platforms for them to showcase their art. We try to keep the art scene fresh and unique here. It’s not just commercial art or for established artists, we want to give opportunities to everybody.”
Aguilar added these events wouldn’t be possible without support from the community.
“We need the community support — we know the artists want to take part in these events, but support from our neighbors and sponsorship is paramount. Even people coming out to the events makes a big difference,” he said.
For more information, sponsorships, or to apply to the Battle of the Arts, visit “http://www.ArtsembleUnderground.com” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>ArtsembleUnderground.com and select Battle of the Arts under the “more” tab.
The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is at 2301 First St.