The Raw Arts Festival - New York 2007: the Vision Impossible.

    /24-7PressRelease/ - KENT, UK, January 08, 2007 - Here's your mission should you choose to accept. Create an arts festival which exhibits truly world class non-mainstream art (Outsider/raw and self-taught art etc). To not accept any sponsorship deal that detracts from the focus. Travel to different cities and exhibit in them. Succeed in becoming critically acclaimed worldwide. Work with an international arts magazine. To stand tall and not grovel, cheat, pretend or lie. To win people's respect the hard way. Does this begin to sound like a script for a Mission Impossible film?

Yes it does - the Raw Arts Festival has single-handedly shown that even the most impossible vision can be made into a stunningly fantastic reality. With legendary successes in London in 2004, 2005 and coming off a great festival in Valencia, Spain 2006, the festival now travels to New York in January 2007. It will offer a fresh alternative to the New York Outsider Art Fair and be New York's first Festival to be led by and run for raw artists.

Over the years, the Festival has exhibited some truly world class self-taught/raw/outsider artists. The 2007 Festival will be no exception, highlights include: Dover Abrams, the well known Los Angeles-based gallery owner and outsider artist; Brain Dowdall, the 25 year international "outsider"; Piers Midwinter, visionary artist, creator and director of the Raw Arts Festival; and Robert Seven, an accomplished lifetime folk/visionary working full-time nationally. There are many other instantly recognizable artists to its credit, such as Maggie Campbell, Franco Meloni, Joe Moorman, Joel Pinkerton, Julia Sisi, Josh Slavin, Elizabeth Turnbull and Lori Vynalek. The Festival will also exhibit artworks by the Folkwares organisation.

Previous festivals are well known for creating a church-like atmosphere, where participants benefited from the emotional, intellectual and spiritual experiences. This year, the Festival is being held at the Carrozzini von Buhler Gallery which has a large and open feel to it. It is located in the fashionable meatpacking district. It is a professional gallery that is supported by and run for artists. This should all help to create an electric atmosphere.

Being held between January 17th and January 31st 2007, there will be a complete overlap between the Raw Arts Festival and the New York Outsider Art Fair. So it will be interesting to see what happens to the 'Outside the Outsiders' show. Will they continue to withstand the cold or will they go along to the Raw Arts Festival where they are likely to be given a warmer welcome? Will the collectors also follow suit?

The Raw Arts Festival is subtlety making us all ask questions about the nature of Outsider Art. It's changing the way in which business can be done. It is empowering the artist to get recognition on the international stage. More than any other exhibition it shows that Outsider Art is very much alive here and now. Not to be missed.

Dates: January 17th - Friday, January 31, 2007.
Gallery opens: Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat. 10 am-6 pm.
Venue: The Carrozzini von Buhler Gallery,
407 West 13th Street, New York, 10014
For more information: www.raf2007.com

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