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Introducing our new Programs Manager, Mary-Anne McAllister

Post author By kristin
Post date August 21, 2023
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Introducing our new Programs Manager, Mary-Anne McAllister

It is with a heart both heavy and with gratitude that I share the news that I will be moving on from my role as Programs Manager at the Community Arts Council of Vancouver (CACV). These past two years have been a complete joy to work alongside such a dedicated and passionate team and to connect with so many talented artists in so-called Vancouver’s vibrant arts community.

I am excited to introduce the new Programs Manager, Mary-Anne McAllister. Mary-Anne is a creative and cultural producer hailing from South Africa, bringing with her five years of experience in the arts sector. Now residing on the unceded territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, Mary-Anne is dedicated to fostering collaborative networks that empower young creatives and cultivate growth opportunities. With an Honours Degree in Fine Art from the University of Pretoria, her background in creative producing, fine arts, and curatorial work will undoubtedly enrich our community. Mary-Anne’s involvement in national and international community-driven projects showcases her dedication to the transformative power of art. Her recent co-production of POWER TALKS Durban demonstrates her commitment to facilitating meaningful conversations through creative collaboration. As we bid farewell, I am confident that Mary-Anne will lead the Programs team with passion and innovation, and I can’t wait to witness the incredible impact she will undoubtedly make.

Mary-Anne’s inaugural role at CACV involves leading the upcoming Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival, making its return to the Roundhouse this October 12-17. With her prior involvement as a volunteer in the 2022 festival, Mary-Anne deeply understands the festival’s mission, the community of artists, and our team. Mary-Anne will undoubtedly thrive in this role, and I can’t wait to see all that she achieves.

Join us in welcoming Mary-Anne!

Warmly,
Shannon Goodman
Former Programs Manager

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Welcome Lizzie Shepherd!

Welcoming new Stage Manager, Lizzie Shepherd!

We are thrilled to announce that the talented and multi-faceted Lizzie Shepherd will join our team again for the upcoming Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival this October. As an event coordinator, archival researcher, musician, and graphic designer, Lizzie’s diverse skill set and passion for the arts have made her an invaluable asset to our festival in the past. We can’t wait to have her back as the returning stage manager to showcase a diverse array of talented artists on these unceded territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, also known as Vancouver.

As we gear up for the 2023 Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival, we are thrilled to have Lizzie Shepherd back on board as our returning Stage Manager. With her unparalleled passion for the arts, remarkable organizational skills, and commitment to inclusivity, we are confident this year’s festival will be another resounding success.

Mark your calendars for October 12-17, 2023, and join us as we celebrate the incredible talents of artists from diverse backgrounds and abilities. Together, we will continue to foster meaningful connections and build a stronger, more vibrant arts community here in Vancouver.

We can’t wait to see what Lizzie Shepherd will bring to this year’s festival, and we hope you’ll join us for an unforgettable celebration of creativity and expression. See you there!

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Call for Artists — Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival 2023 is open!

Post author By kristin
Post date May 11, 2023

Applications for the 2023 Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival are now open!

Applications for the 2023 Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival are now open!
This festival celebrates the creativity of Vancouver artists who break the mould. Whether you work in paint, clay, sound, movement, or anything in between, we want to see what makes you an outsider artist. Don’t miss your chance to showcase your unique vision and connect with a community of like-minded folks!

Application Deadline: May 15, 2023 at 11:59 pm PT
Dates of Festival: October 12-17, 2023
Accessibility: Our staff will work with each applicant to meet their needs and make their experience at the festival as comfortable as possible. If you would like to request assistance with your application, please reach out at voaf@cacv.ca or 604-682-0010.

Head to our website to learn more and submit your application today!

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Painter and Illustrator: Glen Hesse

Post author By ccAdmin
Post date November 3, 2022

VOAF 2022 Artist: Glenn Hesse

Glenn Hesse is a low-income artist with a disability active in the DTES community as an organizer showcasing his paintings at the 6th Annual Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival at the Roundhouse from October 14-16.

In 2012, Glenn joined a local DTES art group and took up painting as a hobby. In 2018, he took art classes at Emily Carr University and completed his Painting, Fine Arts, and Illustration certificate programs. During that time, Glenn received art grants from the DTES Small Arts Grant and participated in the Emerge Festival as a recipient of the program.

Click here for more information about the artist.

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Barb Bell is an Emerging Visual Artist

Post author By ccAdmin
Post date November 3, 2022

VOAF 2022 Artist: Barb Bell

Barb Bell (she/her) is an emerging visual artist struggling with mental health and chronic pain exhibiting her paintings at the 6th Annual Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival at the Roundhouse from October 14-16, 2022.

Having not started painting until the age of 65, Barb registered for art classes in December of 2021 as a hobby, upon retirement. In no time her art teacher recognized her talent and suggested that Barb post her paintings and even branch out to start selling them. She paints every day; it’s one of her favourite things to do and it helps to nurture her in a world that at times feels overwhelming.

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VOAF 2022 Exhibiting Artist: Tim Varro

Post author By ccAdmin
Post date November 3, 2022
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VOAF 2022 Artist: Tim Varro

Tim Varro (he/him) is a retired art/media teacher turned artist and ICSI patient showcasing his sculptures at the 6th Annual Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival at the Roundhouse from October 14-16.

He has discovered that working with clay offers him a way to move beyond his disability (ICSI patient-MVA 1976) to a more light-hearted engagement, an innate quirkiness and an off-centred approach to his work.

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VOAF 2022 Performer: Tamami Maitland

Post author By ccAdmin
Post date November 3, 2022

VOAF 2022 Performer: Tamami Maitland

Tamami Maitland (she/her) is a singer-songwriter and Jazz pianist performing with Emilio Suarez on bass and Jonathan Fairbank on drums at the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival on Saturday, October 15 from 5:05pm to 5:30pm at the Roundhouse.

Growing up in Japan, she was influenced by music by Studio Ghibli, Japanese culture, and poetry. She was a poet at age of 8, but once she discovered her love for music, she never looked back. In fact, the lyrics of her original songs are often related to nature, the seasons, and
love, just like traditional Japanese poetry.

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VOAF 2022 Exhibiting Artist: Melanie Stuparyk

Post author By ccAdmin
Post date November 3, 2022

VOAF 2022 Artist: Melanie Stuparyk

Melanie Stuparyk (she/her) is a photographer who struggles with Bipolar Affective Disorder meaning sharing two poles (high and low) and Affective Disorder means a disorder having to do with mood. She lives in the DTES and struggling with such a disorder can make it a bit difficult to produce her art. She is showcasing her prints at the 6th Annual Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival at the Roundhouse from October 14-16, 2022.

When Melanie was a child she was handed her first Kodak Instamatic camera. She has always been artistic, working with pottery, music, digital, multimedia art, as well as photography. She thoroughly enjoys capturing nature to create a meditative state of mind to share with those viewing her photographs. Her art has been shown at Gallery Gachet, the Culture Crawl, Emerge Festival.and connections Salon ‘Mad Universe’ show.

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Valeria Desousa: An Emerging Artist Inspired by Nature

Post author By ccAdmin
Post date October 11, 2022

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.

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Showcasing a Range of Artistic Skill: Al Leveque

Post author By ccAdmin
Post date October 5, 2022

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.