Art & Design

Art Race

Road trip race where art means survival

Art Race

Two artists, Ben Sargent and Kenny Harris, set out to cross America surviving only on their art. Armed with just $1, they must trade their work for lifts, beds and food to travel across America in 40 days. Will their art get them from coast to coast? The pair must make their way as quickly as possible to their final destinations - the winner is the first one back and the loser must return all their hard-earnt cash.

SHOW 1
Two artists are attempting to cross America surviving only on their artwork. Sculptor Ben Sargent begins an ambitious triptych outside the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, before riding north to work his charms on chainsaw artist Cherie Currie.

Meanwhile, on the steps of New York’s Metropolitan Museum, classical painter, Kenny Harris resorts to pet portraiture. But with no money for a hotel room, the artist must trade a watercolour for his first night’s accommodation -- on a kitchen floor.

SHOW 2
Day three of Art Race and thanks to his chainsaw-art tutorial, Ben has a wooden bear to sell. Sadly, the inhabitants of Palm Springs have other ideas. Trading a sculpture for a bicycle, Ben peddles to Salvation Mountain, but the locals of Slab City soon turn nasty on the artist-adventurer.

In Pennsylvania, Kenny swaps a portrait for a ride on a Harley– but only as far as State College. His last few dollars are spent on a bus ticket to Pittsburgh where he appeals to the clemency of local sculptor Thad Mosely

SHOW 3
Kenny is in Amish country, in Kidron Ohio, and having traded an oil painting with a Mennonite preacher, he gains food, shelter and even an interview with a prospective collector.

Ben reaches the tiny town of Bisbee in Arizona. He spends all day perfecting his sculpture, The Bisbee Bus, but locals resist the artist’s desperate bar-auction. Once again Ben is left rueing the challenges of his artistic odyssey.

SHOW 4
Kenny makes it to Indianapolis, and starts thinking big. If people will trade for food and accommodation, will they also trade for clothing, expensive restaurant meals and spa treatments? It won’t be easy.

Ben is trying everything he can to reach Marfa, Texas; three-wheeler car, taxi, truck, van, kite-wing airplane – whatever it takes. Fortunately, he’s come fully prepared with acrylic paints, brushes and a Longhorn steer skull.

SHOW 5
Kenny bravely decides to explore the art market of rural Missouri. He arrives in Mokane (population186) but has no money for food, a hotel (even if there was one) or a ticket out. One painter is about to learn the true value of his art.

In Texas, Ben’s fallen in love – with a car. Having traded for a gourmet meal, he’s found a cowboy hut to sleep in and a near-derelict Baja Bug to pine after. Laying aside his modelling clay, Ben’s determined to get the car – and himself - back on the road.

SHOW 6
Ben arrives in Austin, Texas and has one thing on his mind; nudes. A local female artist offers her services – but only on the proviso that Ben loses his clothes as well. Ben is genuinely scared.

Kenny is trapped in a Missouri strip mall and spends the night on the floor of a local bowling alley. Escaping to Russellville, a local bar owner offers her spare room but in return asks for an impossible commission: will Kenny sketch, from a photograph, a deceased baby?

SHOW 7
Ben is flat broke but puts a haircut and shave before food and accommodation. One of the barber’s customers offers a ride - but Ben’s break becomes a burden when his portraiture fails to impress his new client.

In Kansas City, Missouri Kenny negotiates an introduction to a local art collector. A possible commission is at stake but first he must show his skill and find a model. Kenny soon learns that the art collector has very definite ideas of his own.

SHOW 8
Kenny is on the Kansas plains. A trucker offers a ride in his sixteen-wheeler and drops the artist in Goodland. There are few opportunities to trade art, but there is time to paint the world’s largest easel.

Ben learns of a recent art sale by Kenny. Depressed, he escapes the cameras and takes refuge in a local Mississippi strip bar. Off camera, Ben is given a meal and some merchandise. One of the lap-dancers even agrees to sit for a life-drawing session the next day.

SHOW 9
Ben is turning his hand to sculpture. Setting up studio in a local factory in Georgia, Ben constructs his masterpiece and then attempts to auction it off to the assembled metalworkers.

In Colorado, Kenny is chasing the big bucks. He is in Aspen and has lined up a balloon ride over the Rockies. He has also found a fast route to Aspen’s collective hearts and wallets…. doggie portraiture.

SHOW 10
Ben has travelled over three thousand miles and finally made it coast to coast. Having arrived in Nag’s Head, North Carolina, he is collaborating with championship surfer Pat McManus on a surf art project.

Kenny has reached Moab, Utah and his trades are becoming ever more ambitious. He is eyeing a rafting trip down the Colorado river all the way to Lake Powell. 117 miles of rapids, undertows… and watercolours.

SHOW 11
Kenny is on a roll. He has traded a painting for a flight across the Grand Canyon and has now made it to Las Vegas. The question is: how many chips is a Kenny Harris painting worth?

Meanwhile, Ben is in New Jersey playing catch-up. Trailing behind Kenny’s art trade total, the sculptor decides to make one last effort. Working with artist Corey Sosner, Ben creates a super-hero costume which can transform him into “Art Man”.

SHOW 12
It is the final show of Art Race and while Ben is on the bus back to New York, Kenny is leaving Las Vegas. The winner of Art Race is the artist who makes the most money from his art trades – and while Kenny is in front, the greatest challenge lies ahead of the two artists.

On Day 40, Ben and Kenny must put on gallery shows in their home cities of New York and Los Angeles. Every sale during these final exhibitions will count towards the artists’ trade totals. They have just 36 hours to prepare their shows, and two hours to sell everything they can. Only then will they, and we, learn the winner of Art Race.

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Latest comments

Dan Woodier

Tue 8 September 2009, 15:39

I just saw the very first episode today on Sky Anytime, and i’ve got to say the idea for this show is incredible and to find two truly magnificent artists is exellent.
I’ve series linked it and i look forward to see what happens.

june mcdonald

Sat 12 September 2009, 19:31

great show, can’t wait to see the end result.At last something different and decent to look forward to on the tv.

Matthew

Sat 19 September 2009, 14:22

I found this ‘by chance’ on ‘Anytime’ as well and it’s great.Looking forward to how it unfolds over the weeks but whoever ‘wins’ they’re both great artists and very creative.
I am impressed by the mixture of shows on both arts channels.

Lee

Sat 19 September 2009, 16:59

Great show found on anytime to really interesting looking fwd to next part reminds me of the Diceman

Matthew Comer

Sun 20 September 2009, 14:07

i cant get enough of this show… will you do this again? because i would love to get involved!!!!!

Jordan

Thu 24 September 2009, 21:05

Found on Anytime WELL GOOD! I Don’t normally like these shows but this was truly Awesome..

Struggling to catch all episodes as day and times are not the same each week? 8:00pm on Wednesday? Friday? I dunno..

(Naming Each Ep in ‘i’ Description would have been helpful too… E.g “Ep 1/12”

.. But Whenever i do catch the Half episode or full one its just as good as the first i watched on anytime. Good Job.

Tyler Wilson

Wed 7 October 2009, 19:01

love the show be rely interesting to see who wins my money is on ben

arty

Sat 10 October 2009, 15:21

a great idea-but poor execution of the programe. After wasting 30 precious minutes of your life time..u ask yourself..what did I really watch????

Maggi Wood

Sat 24 October 2009, 19:39

Just loving this! Kenny is a beautiful gentle guy and his watercolour work just fills me with awe - please give him his own show! As for Ben he instills the belief that all of us can “create” art - a fun and talented guy! Huge thanks for sharing this with us!

az iqbal

Tue 27 October 2009, 22:08

amazing concept!love kenny s work,and ben s personality.i look forward to each new episode not only for the entertainment value but also great inspiration for any artist.

Mandy Long

Tue 10 November 2009, 23:57

I have watched every episode and enjoyed every one! It’s great to see something of ‘small town America’ instead of just the big cities. Plus it’s fun to see some of the places that I have been to in my travels. Can’t wait for the conclusion! They are both great artists and I admire their tenancity and resilience. Good Luck boys!

Ken Spedding

Wed 11 November 2009, 16:12

Love the show ! really contrasting personalities between the artists Ben appears more outgoing and Kenny more introverted, whose going to win is a hard one to call personally I prefer Kenny’s work fantastic paintings and the show gives a great insight into inner USA lovely scenery.
Strange to see the way many people are very standoffish yet as soon as the artists start their work people the boundaries are broken and people are suddenly more approachable - Great Series

anonymous...

Sat 14 November 2009, 14:14

this programme is a complete waste of time,i am never gonna watch this again worst ever/........

Paul Carter

Thu 19 November 2009, 15:25

Brilliant series! Great concept that can be used again and again with different artists/personalities.
Shame it’s coming to an end. We need more art programmes on TV.
Please make another series - maybe North-South in the US?

Francesca Albini

Fri 20 November 2009, 21:42

Are you going to publish a book about this? The artwork they did is great, and I’d like to see it properly.

brinda

Sat 21 November 2009, 13:55

just seen the last episode, i won’t say who won just incase but it really isn’t about winning in this instance, these guys were amazing and grew stronger gaining more confidence as they went through the journey, especially Kenny. I really wish you had shown these guys meeting up and viewing each others art. great little show.

Andrea Smith

Sat 21 November 2009, 16:11

Loved the show,watched everyone , would of love to see them meet up and see the different approaches to the journey they both made.Best show on Sky. You gonna be making anymore series????

Sarah

Tue 24 November 2009, 13:05

omg fabulous show. great work skyarts

Nigel

Wed 25 November 2009, 08:30

Great show, will the shows be released on DVD.

Hannah

Fri 27 November 2009, 10:46

Watched every single one from day one. Absolutly loved it, best programme on sky arts.
Kenny’s paintings were fantastic and i really enjoyed seeing all of the different areas in America. Are there going to be any more?

Jenny

Fri 27 November 2009, 16:50

Have just finished watching this series and must say it is the best show I have seen in ages. This is what reality TV should be replaced with. Real talented people...... well done guys - you both deserved to win and you did because you are groundbreaking artists brave enough to take on this challenge! Hope you both achieve much success, fame & happiness.

Nathan

Fri 4 December 2009, 22:08

I found the show on my xbox’s skyplayer ( beleive it or not, somebody can like Xbox, and fine art haha ) And after the first episode i was captivated by it, and actualy stayed up all night watching 11 of the episodes.

I finished the 11th episode, went to go to the 12th. But it wasnt there!?!? ive been looking for it everyday for almost a week, but its still not there.

It also became the cover for the Art section, just taunting me.

I need to watch the last episode so badly!! Can it not be uploaded to Skyplayer?

Kelli

Tue 12 January 2010, 21:26

I am going bonkers trying to locate the times for the last episodes 7-12!!! My station just keeps rerunning the first episodes and I really want to see the rest of the series-Does anyone know if it is for sale through the station or where I can see the second half of the series?
Thanks!

Lynn

Thu 4 February 2010, 00:11

Just so happened to stay tuned after watching ‘In Treatment’ on Sky Arts 1 and found it fascinating. It doesn’t matter who’s won, they have both gained a life time opportunity to see the country they live in & love, as well as having the privelege of being blessed by so many generous people.

Lynn

Thu 4 February 2010, 00:13

being priviledged whilst doing something theylove.

Paulie P

Sat 27 February 2010, 17:25

Ben and Kenny- Your journey is a life experience in itself. In my opinion, you both are well deserved winners. Hope you stay in contact with each other and remember the different and difficult routes you both have taken along your creative paths of excellence. Job well done!!

Diane H.

Mon 1 March 2010, 03:06

Art Race..............loved the show but could not find it after the second show............it was fabulous and then GONE! It finally occured to me to Google the show going to Images first and then this page came up. Could someone tell me why the networks in Boston area dropped this show. Subject: Art Race Thanks,

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Art Race

Road trip race where art means survival

If you like this then try these...

Bookmark this page...

Latest comments

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