VOAF 2022 Artist: Valeria Desousa (MyClaraOceans)

Valeria Desousa (she/her) is a self-taught artist showcasing paintings inspired by nature at the 6th Annual Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival at the Roundhouse from October 14-16, 2022.

During the 2020 pandemic, her aviation career came to a temporary halt. Having so much time to reflect and ponder, she decided to use the creation of art pieces as a means of therapeutic processing and cathartic release. She focuses her art on the experience of interpretation and introspection to evoke conversation and emotions.

VOAF 2022 Artist: Al Leveque 

Al Leveque (Omega Al) (she/they) is a queer sex worker showcasing illustrations and paintings that depict “colourful body horror” at the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival from October 14-16.

Originally trained as a traditional tattoo artist, Al expanded their practice after several years and has now been practising as a professional visual artist for over 15 years. The range of their artistic skills is always growing, ranging from their studies in 2D and 3D digital art, to the many other ways their creativity has manifested; in online stores, magazines, building fronts, and on bodies all over Canada.

VOAF 2022 Artist: Val Fishman

Val Fishman (she/they) uncovered her love for painting as a senior and will be exhibiting a collection of landscape paintings at the 6th Annual Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival at the Roundhouse from October 14-17. 

Five years ago, just prior to retirement, Val decided to take a leap of faith and joined a Senior’s art class. She found that her sense of self was impassioned as she worked with colour and the smooth movements of brush and stroke. She loved the results of quick sketches and what the eye could grasp in a brief moment in time. She loves working with acrylics for their bright and dense colour! She paints outside every chance she gets in the surroundings that she loves. Every brush stroke and dab, every colour mixing pulls more passion out of her. It has become the place that she lives.

VOAF 2022 Artist: Brandy Mars

Brandy Mars (she/her) is a lesbian business owner showcasing her paintings at the 6th Annual Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival at the Roundhouse from October 14-16, 2022. 

Since 2016, she has been running the gayest lil’ gift shop in all the land. Her collection of art includes over 300 pieces aiming to bring representation to the LGBTQIA+ community. She has written and illustrated 2 children’s books. This June was her first solo art exhibit in Vancouver.

VOAF 2022 Artist: Margaux Wosk (Retrophiliac)

Margaux Wosk (Retrophiliac) (they/them) is a disability advocate and self-taught artist showcasing her paintings at the 6th Annual Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival at the Roundhouse from October 14-16, 2022. 

Creativity is in Margaux’s DNA. Being neurodivergent helps them see things their own way. Expressing through art helps them connect to the world around them. They primarily work with acrylic paint and paint markers, they are also known to work with mixed media and digital works.

VOAF 2022 Artist: Taylor Neal

Taylor Neal (she/they) is a film photographer and frontline worker showcasing photography that depicts the dialogue between bodies and their environments in a very intimate manner at the 6th Annual Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival at the Roundhouse from October 14-16.

They strive to gain deeper understandings of the endless complexity that is human experience, through translating life into the realm of the tangible via art, both verbal and visual.

VOAF 2022 Artist: Amy J. Dyck

Amy J. Dyck (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist with a disability showcasing her creations at the 6th Annual Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival at the Roundhouse from October 14-16.

Based in British Columbia, Canada, Amy J. Dyck’s work is a unique mix of representational and abstract expressionism and strives to express something deeper in the human experience than can be observed by the eye. Using collage, oil paints and drawing mediums, and pulling from anatomical studies and visual research, her work is influenced by old and new masters and is always evolving.

VOAF 2022 Performer: Artemis Wilkins (Heathen)

Artemis Wilkins better known for their drag persona Heathen is an afab drag artist performing at the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival on Sunday, October 16, 2022 from 1:00pm to 1:20pm at the Roundhouse. They are the first drag artist to take the stage at VOAF!

Originally from small town Alberta, this East Van local is known for their colourful and eye-catching looks. They have shocked and delighted audiences from across the world with their indoor slip n slides, exploding glittery fruit, and huge handmade lashes.

VOAF 2022 Performer: The Troupe de Poetry (Karen Hein)

The Troupe de Poetry is a group of 4-5 poets led by Karen Hein that perform poetry from a fresh approach. They will be performing at the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival on Sunday, October 16, 2022 at the Roundhouse.