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# Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival

Canada’s first and only festival for Outsider Art.

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://voaf.ca/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Read now about Vancouver artists from the VOAF blog](https://voaf.ca/blog/) - Read interviews with artists and performers on the new VOAF Blog.
- [Applications for the 2026 Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival are now open! ✨](https://voaf.ca/applications-for-the-2026-vancouver-outsider-arts-festival-are-now-open-✨/) - Applications for the 2025 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
- [Blog](https://voaf.ca/volunteer-with-us/) - Volunteer with us! VOLUNTEER AT THE FESTIVAL Join our community of artists, arts professionals, organizations, and volunteers who help bring the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival to life! We are currently seeking volunteers to help with art sales, public workshops, performances, and more! Apply by September 22: https://form.jotform.com/252385440133249 If you require assistance completing the form or
- [](https://voaf.ca/applications-for-the-2025-are-now-open-✨/) - Applications for the 2025 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
- [](https://voaf.ca/thank-you-for-attending-the-vancouver-outsider-arts-festival✨/) - Thank you for attending the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival✨ We are celebrating another successful festival! A recap of our festival numbers: 1500+ attendees $14,200+ in art sales over 3 days 100+ artists (visual artists, art groups, performers and more) 750+ artworks on display A bunch of amazing community members (you!) Special thanks to our amazing team, generous
- [](https://voaf.ca/6050-2/) - Welcome Madeleine Polak, our new Stage Manager! We're thrilled to introduce Madeleine Polak as the Stage Manager for the 2024 Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival! 👏 Madeleine Polak (she/her) is a lover of emerging new theatre, name brand sharpies, iced oat lattes, and colour-coded spreadsheets. She’s a queer theatre maker & manager based in Vancouver, where
- [](https://voaf.ca/6039-2/) - Volunteer with us! Join our community of artists, arts professionals, organizations, and volunteers who help bring the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival to life! We are currently seeking volunteers to help with art sales, public workshops, performances, and more!Apply by September 22: https://form.jotform.com/242407573753258If you require assistance completing the form or want to apply over the phone or
- [](https://voaf.ca/welcome-annika-walsh-our-new-marketing-assistant/) - Welcome Annika Walsh, our new Marketing Assistant! We’re delighted to announce that Annika Walsh is joining the CACV team as our new Marketing Assistant! Annika Walsh is an emerging transdisciplinary artist who works with food, cooking, and everything in between to further the notion of connectedness and togetherness. They utilize all things food to create and inform
- [One week left to apply to the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival!](https://voaf.ca/one-week-left-to-apply-to-the-vancouver-outsider-arts-festival/) - One week left to apply to the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival! CALL FOR ARTISTS & PERFORMERS✨ 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
- [Thank you for attending Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival 2023!](https://voaf.ca/thank-you-for-attending-vancouver-outsider-arts-festival-2023/) - Thank you so much for attending our Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival We are celebrating our most successful festival ever! 🎉🎉A recap of our festival numbers: 2,400+ attendees $21,600+ in art sales over 5 days 100+ artists (visual artists, art groups, performers and more) 750+ artworks on display ⭐ A bunch of amazing community members (you!) ⭐
- [BTS](https://voaf.ca/bts-katalina-fairything-2023/) - Behind the Scenes: Meet Katalina & Fairything As the 2023 Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival fast approaches, our team has been hard at work making all the important preparations - including an ongoing video project! Planned to release in early 2024, this project aims to showcase the journeys of talented artists and performers as they participate
- [Introducing our new Programs Manager, Mary-Anne McAllister](https://voaf.ca/introducing-our-new-programs-manager-mary-anne-mcallister/) - 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
- [Welcome Lizzie Shepherd!](https://voaf.ca/welcoming-lizzie-shepherd-back-for-another-year-at-the-vancouver-outsider-arts-festival/) - 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.
- [Call for Artists -- Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival 2023 is open!](https://voaf.ca/applications-for-the-2023-vancouver-outsider-arts-festival-are-now-open/) - 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.
- [VOAF 2022 Exhibiting Artist: Tuyết Ánh Judith Nguyễn](https://voaf.ca/voaf-2022-exhibiting-artist-tuyet-anh-judith-nguyen/) - Tuyết Ánh Judith Nguyễn (they/them) is a multidisciplinary artist of Vietnamese ancestry living with C-PTSD showcasing artwork at the 6th Annual VOAF.
- [Ankha Sita Qualia is an Explorer And Artist](https://voaf.ca/ankha-sita-qualia-is-an-explorer-and-artist/) - Ankha Sita Qualia is a queer immigrant, teacher and cancer survivor who showcased their artwork at the Annual 6th Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival.
- [Migy B: Artist Living in Vancouver](https://voaf.ca/migy-b-artist-living-in-vancouver/) - Migy B is an emerging self-taught Latino artist showcasing his paintings at the 6th Annual Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival from October 14-17, 2022.
- [Sneak Peak Of The Artist: Taylor Neal](https://voaf.ca/voaf-2022-exhibiting-artist-taylor-neal/) - 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
- [Showcasing a Range of Artistic Skill: Al Leveque](https://voaf.ca/showcasing-a-range-of-artistic-skill-al-leveque/) - Al Leveque (Omega Al) is a queer sex worker showcasing illustrations and paintings that depict “colourful body horror” at the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival
- [Valeria Desousa: An Emerging Artist Inspired by Nature](https://voaf.ca/valeria-desousa-an-emerging-artist-inspired-by-nature/) - Valeria Desousa is a self-taught artist showcasing paintings inspired by nature at the 6th Annual Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival from October 14-17, 2022.
- [VOAF 2022 Exhibiting Artist: Melanie Stuparyk](https://voaf.ca/voaf-2022-exhibiting-artist-melanie-stuparyk/) - Melanie Stuparyk is a photographer who struggles with Bipolar Affective Disorder and Affective Disorder. She is showcasing her prints at the VOAF.
- [VOAF 2022 Performer: Tamami Maitland](https://voaf.ca/voaf-2022-performer-tamami-maitland/) - Tamami Maitland is a singer-songwriter and Jazz pianist performing with Emilio Suarez on Bass and Jonathan Fairbank on Drums on October 15 from 5:05pm to 5:30pm
- [Barb Bell is an Emerging Visual Artist](https://voaf.ca/barb-bell-is-an-emerging-visual-artist/) - Barb Bell is an emerging visual artist struggling with mental health and chronic pain exhibiting her paintings at the VOAF.
- [Painter and Illustrator: Glen Hesse](https://voaf.ca/painter-and-illustrator-glen-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 VOAF.
- [VOAF 2022 Performer: Artemis Wilkins](https://voaf.ca/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 October 16 at 1:00pm.
- [Val Fishman Uncovers her Love for Painting](https://voaf.ca/voaf-2022-exhibiting-artist-val-fishman/) - Val Fishman uncovered her love for painting as a senior and exhibited a collection of paintings at the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival.
- [An Emerging Performer Jason Qiu](https://voaf.ca/voaf-2022-performer-jason-qiu/) - Jason Qiu is an emerging BIPOC queer singer-songwriter performing at the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festiva
- [VOAF 2022 Exhibiting Artist: Tim Varro](https://voaf.ca/voaf-2022-exhibiting-artist-tim-varro/) - Tim Varro is a retired art/media teacher turned artist and ICSI patient showcasing his sculptures at the 6th Annual Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival.
- [The Troupe de Poetry Share their Love for Poetry](https://voaf.ca/voaf-2022-performer-the-troupe-de-poetry/) - The Troupe de Poetry is a group of 4-5 poets that perform poetry from a fresh approach. They will be performing on October 16 at the VOAF.
- [Margaux Wosk is Always Surprised by What they Create](https://voaf.ca/voaf-2022-exhibiting-artist-margaux-wosk-retrophiliac/) - 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
- [Brandy Mars Artist And Successful Business Owner](https://voaf.ca/voaf-2022-exhibiting-artist-brandy-mars/) - Brandy Mars is a lesbian business owner showcasing her paintings at the 6th Annual Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival at the Roundhouse from October 14-16, 2022.
- [Amy J. Dyck is Influenced by Old and New Artists](https://voaf.ca/exhibiting-now-at-voaf-amy-j-dyck/) - Amy J. Dyck is a multidisciplinary artist with a disability showcasing her creations at the 6th Annual Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival at the Roundhouse.

## Pages

- [Celebrate and Support Vancouver's Emerging & Outsider Artists this October](https://voaf.ca/) - An annual festival offering opportunities for exhibition and performance to visual and performing artists in Vancouver who face barriers exhibiting their work.
- [VOAF 2026](https://voaf.ca/voaf-2026/) - Thank you to everyone who applied to the 2026 Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival✨ Applications are now closed and the review process has begun. Notifications will be sent out in July. Inclusive Curatorial Committee 2026 LeiGh Press LeiGh Press LeiGh Press is a mixed media visual artist, her greatest joy being creating art. When not arting, LeiGh
- [2026 Festival](https://voaf.ca/2026-applications/) - Applications are now open for the 2026 Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival! Apply today as a visual artist, performer, workshop facilitator, or art group!
- [Look back at past festivals](https://voaf.ca/past-festivals/) - The festival has taken place for 9 years and continues to grow each year. Take a look back on past Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival years and the artists who have been involved since the festival's inception.
- [Media](https://voaf.ca/media/) - December 20, 2021 - Outlook TV Galleries West – Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival - Touring Exhibition Global News – Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival - Touring Exhibition July 31, 2019 - VOAF Media Alert August 6, 2019 - VOAF Media Release August 9, 2019 - Radio-Canada 2018 Coverage August 7, 2018 - Vancouver Sun August 7, 2018 - Discorder
- [VOAF 2025 *](https://voaf.ca/voaf-2025-2/) - Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival 2025 Gallery!
- [VISUAL ARTISTS Apply Now](https://voaf.ca/apply/) - Visual artist applications are now open for the 2025 Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival! Apply by May 15th, 2025.
- [PERFORMERS Apply Now](https://voaf.ca/performers-apply/) - Performer applications are now open for the 2025 Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival! Apply by May 15th, 2025.
- [Contact Us](https://voaf.ca/contact-us/) - Contact our team of local artists, performers, educators, and arts professionals for assistance with your application, questions about the festival, and media requests!
- [Events & Workshops](https://voaf.ca/events-workshops-2025/) - Events & Workshops VANCOUVER OUTSIDER ARTS FESTIVAL SATELLITE EXHIBITION Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival Satellite Exhibition with Connection Salon DATE: October 13 - November 23, 2025 LOCATION: The Gathering Place Community Centre, 609 Helmcken St, Vancouver, BC, V6B 5R1 PARTICIPATING ARTISTS Dharana Sage | Flo Godineau | Jialin (Lydia) Chen | Kevin Wong | Leigh Press
- [Artists & Performers](https://voaf.ca/the-2025-artists-performers/) - In 2025, the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival will feature 11 performing artists and 20 visual artists, alongside a satellite exhibition of 12 artists at Connection Salon at the Gathering Place in Downtown Vancouver. Read more about them before the festival!
- [Read our informative festival policy on COVID-19](https://voaf.ca/covid-19-policy/) - Read our COVID-19 policy for the 2023 Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival to stay informed and safe at this year's festival.
- [Learn more about our Festival Sponsors & Partners](https://voaf.ca/sponsors/) - The Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival is made possible with the ongoing and generous support from our sponsors and partners!
- [Learn More About Our History](https://voaf.ca/about/) - The Community Arts Council of Vancouver (CACV) is excited to present the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival - Canada’s first and only festival for Outsider Art.
- [VOAF 2023](https://voaf.ca/2023-voaf-gallery/) - Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival 2023 Gallery!
- [VOAF 2024](https://voaf.ca/voaf-2024-2/) - Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival 2024 Gallery!
- [AUDIENCE SURVEY](https://voaf.ca/audience-survey/) - Take our audience survey for a chance to win a $200 OPUS Art Supplies Gift Card
- [Elysse Cloma](https://voaf.ca/2021-elysse-cloma/)
- [Code of Conduct](https://voaf.ca/code-of-conduct/) - Code of Conduct for the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival At the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival, we are dedicated to fostering a safe and inclusive space where people of all backgrounds, experiences, genders, sexualities, races, ethnicities, abilities, and identities can come together and feel safe to express themselves and their ideas. We believe in promoting respect,
- [The 2023 Artists & Performers](https://voaf.ca/2023-artists-performers-2/) - In 2023, the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival will feature over 40 visual artists, 3 art groups, and 3 performing groups. Read more about them before the festival!
- [Meet This Year's Visual & performing Artists](https://voaf.ca/2022-artists/) - Meet the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival's visual artists and groups who present their artwork which ranges from ceramics to oil painting!
- [VOAF 2021](https://voaf.ca/voaf-2021/) - Ian Webster Photography Touring Exhibition Locations Connection Salon at Lost + Found Café October 29 – December 2933 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1G4 Port Moody Art Centre January 13 – February 162425 St Johns St, Port Moody, BC V3H 2B2 Langley Arts Council Gallery July 2 – August 1126770 29 Ave, Aldergrove, BC V4W
- [VOAF 2019](https://voaf.ca/voaf-2019/) - Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival 2019 Recap View Festival Program (PDF) · View List of Artists · Bid in Art Auction Location Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre181 Roundhouse Mews (corner of Davie & Pacific) VIEW MAPYaletown, Vancouver, BC · Directions & Parking The 3-day free festival took place at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre from August 9-11, 2019, and
- [VOAF 2018](https://voaf.ca/voaf-2018/) - DISRUPTING EXCLUSION, INVITING CONNECTIONRoundhouse Community Arts & Recreation CentreFriday August 10th – Sunday, August 12th, 2018 Community Arts Council of Vancouver presents the second annual Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival (VOAF) offering visual and performing artists facing social exclusion and other barriers opportunities for exhibition and sales, performance and participation, connection and learning. The 3-day free festival includes
- [VOAF 2017](https://voaf.ca/voaf-2017/) - August 11-12, 2017Community Arts Council of VancouverRoundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver, BCFREE ADMISSIONMap & Directions Exhibition & SalesFriday from 11 AM – 9 PMSaturday from 10 AM – 4 PM Friday, August 1112 PM – Artist Demonstration4 PM – Opening Reception7 PM – “Illicit” Workshop Performance Saturday, August 1210 AM – “Business Basics for Artists” Workshop12
- [2023 Advisory Committee](https://voaf.ca/2023-advisory-committee/) - The 2023 Advisory Committee is composed of past Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival performing and visual artists and community arts leaders.
- [VOAF 2020](https://voaf.ca/voaf-2020/) - Visual Artists John Clinock John Clinock I’m a visual artist in Vancouver, BC. Canada. I work in a variety of media including painting, drawing, and mixed media. I teach and workshop the creative process in my community with a belief in the healing, revealing and transforming power of the act of art. Making art enchants
- [VOAF 2023](https://voaf.ca/2023-artists/) - Visual Artists Federico Airaudo Lee Abbott Erin Audley Justine Clark Vee CR Trevor Buddin Ania Salmina Jasper Berehulke Brandy Mars Katalina Guerrero Max Mueller-Langer LittleBenefit Colin Mitchell Tom Moody Ben Roback Rowan Wright Marianne Powley Shamsah Mohamed Tim Varro Madison Gill Nicole Parekh Marko Hirny Glenn Hesse Mahdieh Pourghannad Kaela Ho Daniel Poggenpoel Komal Saxena
- [Performer Resources](https://voaf.ca/video-category/) - Check out our free resources for visual artists! You can learn new skills like how to write an artist statement, how to photograph your work, how to price your artwork and more.
- [How to write an Artist Statement and Artist Bio](https://voaf.ca/how-to-write-an-artist-statement-and-artist-bio/) - How to write an Artist Statement and Artist Bio The following document was created by Oli Salvas for the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival in June 2023. There are also videos by Oli Salvas prsented in 2022, you can watch the videos here How to write an Artist Statement How to write an Artist Biography
- [Learn more about the Festival Venue Information & Directions](https://voaf.ca/venue-information/) - The festival will take place at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre in Yaletown, Vancouver. Learn about the venue and parking before you attend.
- [Video Tag](https://voaf.ca/video-tag/) - [aiovg_tag]
- [Search Videos](https://voaf.ca/search-videos/) - [aiovg_search]
- [User Videos](https://voaf.ca/user-videos/) - [aiovg_user_videos]
- [Player Embed](https://voaf.ca/player-embed/)
- [Performers - 2021](https://voaf.ca/2021-performers/) - Performing Artists Performer biographies coming soon.
- [Workshops](https://voaf.ca/artist-resources/) - These workshops were recorded in July 2022 as part of a workshop series offered to Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival participants. Visual Artist Resources Performing Artist Resources
- [Reach out to our team](https://voaf.ca/contact/) - Do you have questions about the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival? Reach out to us!
- [The Troupe de Poetry](https://voaf.ca/the-troupe-de-poetry/) - The Troupe de Poetry
- [MPyress Flame](https://voaf.ca/mpyress-flame/) - Monica is a movement master who enriches her practice with flow art performance, hat manipulation and juggling techniques.
- [Tamami Maitland Trio](https://voaf.ca/tamami-maitland/) - Tamami Maitland Trio
- [Future Star](https://voaf.ca/future-star/) - Future Star
- [Matthew Presidente](https://voaf.ca/matthew-presidente/) - Matthew Presidente
- [Aridonis](https://voaf.ca/aridonis/) - Aridonis
- [Taz Solace](https://voaf.ca/taz-solace/) - Taz Solace
- [Jason Qiu](https://voaf.ca/jason-qiu/) - Jason Qiu
- [CiTR](https://voaf.ca/citr-2/) - CiTR & Discorder Magazine 77 Spokes
- [Beautiful Losers](https://voaf.ca/beautiful-losers/) - Beautiful Losers
- [Meet this year's  performing artists](https://voaf.ca/performances/) - Meet the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival's performing groups who present their work which ranges from hip-hop performances to poetry readings!
- [Franz Seachel](https://voaf.ca/2021-franz-seachel/) - Franz Seachel has a B.A. in Creative Writing from Kwantlen Polytechnic University and is the Founder/Executive Director of Enable: Arts Society.
- [Joe Chow](https://voaf.ca/2021-joe-chow/) - Joe Chow founded the original three-piece band, the J-C Band, in the 1960s. Playing on the same stage as Jimi Hendrix.
- [Edzi'u](https://voaf.ca/edziu/) - Step into the lush and heart wrenching sounds of Edzi'u, an innovative sound and performance artist who paints stories of the past, present and future.
- [Bero Saker](https://voaf.ca/2021-bero-saker/) - Bero is a Syrian Producer, Composer, and Oud player based in Vancouver, BC. He has performed in many Festivals, venues, universities, and events around BC
- [Additional events and exhibitions at the Festival](https://voaf.ca/voaf-on-tour/) - Following the 6th annual Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival, the festival continue via a touring exhibition, featuring a selection of artworks from the festival!
- [Ankha Sita Qualia](https://voaf.ca/ankha-sita-qualia/) - Ankha Sita Qualia Anastasita aka Ankha Sita Qualia (she/they) is a queer / female multimedia artist, teacher, consultant & coach, based out of Coast Salish Land known as Vancouver, BC. She’s a Russian-Canadian import, that moved her entire life here based on the love of this land and the desire to pursue creative education. They
- [Learn more about our Free Public Workshops](https://voaf.ca/2022-artists/voaf-2022-workshops/) - The Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival offers free workshops to the public where folks can exercise their creativity and take home their unique creations.
- [Totter](https://voaf.ca/totter/) - Totter artist website Totter is a human kaleidoscope, the outcome of a multicultural horror show. She has lived in many places, learned many things, and now resides in so-called Vancouver. Her art is predominantly a reflection of intersections — in mediums, forms, range and processes. Informed by her formative years sniffing turpentine while her mother
- [Jason Young](https://voaf.ca/2021-jason-young/) - Jason Young is a queer, Vancouver-based, primarily self-taught, outsider artist. Abstraction, spontaneity, and play are integral to his art practice, which focuses on creating automatic, abstract portraits (from life) of the people he meets. Using the energy of the moment and the intimacy between the subject and viewer, Jason seeks to find new ways of
- [Anoop Dhaliwal](https://voaf.ca/anoop-dhaliwal/) - Anoop Dhaliwal (she/her) is an interdisciplinary visual artist and graphic designer. Dhaliwal’s practice is predominantly in photography (analog + digital), video, dynamic media, printmaking, painting, and illustration. Her artistic approach embraces traditional art practices, digital art practices, and their intersections. Her artistic expression includes topics such as spirituality, the Universe, sacred geometry, nature, mindfulness, and
- [Melanie Stuparyk](https://voaf.ca/melanie-stuparyk/) - Melanie Stuparyk Born in Edmonton, AB, Melanie’s (she/her) parents sold the family farm and relocated to Victoria, BC. They moved to a small town of 6,000 people, Mackenzie, BC, which is situated in the Rocky mountain trench near Prince George, BC. This small town was to be her home for the next 13 years until
- [Tuyết Ánh Judith Nguyễn](https://voaf.ca/judith-nguyen/) - Tuyết Ánh Judith Nguyễn Tuyết Ánh Judith Nguyễn (they/them) is a multidisciplinary artist of Vietnamese ancestry living with C-PTSD on the Ancestral, Traditional, unceded Coast Salish territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh Nations. Nguyễn often creates out of trying to understand themself, creativity, people, and the world. Outsider arts encompass Nguyễn’s sense of belonging
- [MPA Society](https://voaf.ca/mpa-society/) - MPA Society Website The MPA Society Resource Centre has been part of the Kitsilano since 1971. The MPA Society Resource Centre works with individuals living with mental illness in their community. We offer programs that are vocational, social and recreational, inspiring hope and supporting recovery. The MPArt Studio has been open for over 12 years
- [Gallery Gachet](https://voaf.ca/gallery-gachet/) - Gallery Gachet Website Gallery Gachet is a unique artist-run centre located in the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood of Vancouver, on the stolen, sacred, and ancestral homelands of the xwməθkwəy’əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Through artistic means, we aim to demystify and challenge issues related to mental health and social marginalisation in order to
- [Coast Mental Health](https://voaf.ca/coast-mental-health-2/) - Coast Mental Health Website Coast Mental Health is a Vancouver based non-profit, we know that people living with mental challenges can thrive in our communities if they are given the right resources: housing, support services and employment and education opportunities. Our approach is client-focused and community-based. The people we serve – our clients – take the lead in their recovery, working
- [Atira Women's Resource Society](https://voaf.ca/atira-womens-arts-society/) - Atira Women's Art Society Website EWMA was launched in 2003 as a development initiative of Atira Women’s Resource Society and is a program now housed under Atira Women’s Art Society. It has focused on supporting women in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to work together to develop alternative forms of business or employment that is grounded in
- [Alternative Creations Studios](https://voaf.ca/alternative-creations-studios/) - Alternative Creations Studios Website Alternative Creations Studio, located in East Vancouver, is a collective that supports artists with developmental disabilities. Their studio provides the opportunity for artists to hone their skills, working both figuratively and abstractly and sometimes the space in between. Since 2013, their focus has been to enrich the lives of artists, their
- [Vancouver Cantonese Opera](https://voaf.ca/vancouver-cantonese-opera/) - Vancouver Cantonese Opera
- [Laura Fukumoto](https://voaf.ca/laura-fukumoto/) - Laura Fukumoto Laura Fukumoto (she/her) graduated with a BFA from the University of British Columbia and has worked in so-called Vancouver for more than a decade, wearing many hats to survive. More recent hats include fabric wizard, poet, costume designer, playwright, and graduate of Simon Fraser University’s Writer’s Studio. Recent poetry performances include Diasporic Dynasty,
- [Heathen](https://voaf.ca/heathen/) - Heathen performer website Heathen (they/them) is your non binary, pop rock loving drag king. 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. Find
- [Angelic Goldsky](https://voaf.ca/angelic-goldsky/) - Angelic Goldsky
- [Wendy Stewart](https://voaf.ca/wendy-stewart/) - Wendy Stewart Artist website Wendy Stewart (she/her) is an emerging painter who works with both acrylics, mixed media, and oils and currently lives in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. Born in 1968 in White Rock, BC, she spent sixteen years living in the UK before returning to Canada ten years ago. With a degree in
- [Varro Arts](https://voaf.ca/varro-arts/) - Varro Arts Timothy Joseph Varro (he/him) was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, on a cold, wintry day in 1956. His family soon transplanted to Vancouver, British Columbia, where he grew up, worked, and thrived. Varro’s eclectic style grew out of the synergies that evolved over his youthful years, observing his father present “chalk talks” in Sunday
- [Val Fishman](https://voaf.ca/val-fishman/) - Val Fishman Val (she/her/they/them) was born in 1947, and raised in so-called Vancouver, BC, the unceded territory of the Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam peoples who still live, love, and care for this place. As a child, she explored her surroundings, loving the land outside her home, and what she found on it and in it!
- [Tianna Hall](https://voaf.ca/tianna-hall/) - Tianna Hall artist website Tianna Hall (she/her) is an acrylic artist based in Vancouver, BC. Art has been Tianna's passion since she was a child. Not until the beginning of COVID when all of our lives changed, did she take her work and put it on canvas for the world to see. Tianna’s art is
- [Taylor Neal](https://voaf.ca/taylor-neal/) - Taylor Neal artist website A Canadian multi-disciplinary artist, writer, movement instructor, and sex worker's advocacy support worker, Taylor Neal (she/her/they/them) strives 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. They are dedicated to living through the
- [Stevie Broome](https://voaf.ca/stevie-broome/) - Stevie Broome Brace yourself. It’s time to get A-gore-able! A realm of colour, fantasy, and horror awaits. Stevie Broome (he/him) is a queer, multimedia artist in Vancouver, BC, that uses the brightest acrylics on canvas and metal. He creates a world where bioluminescence is pedestrian and sparkle reigns supreme. His goal is to create an
- [Shamsah Mohamed](https://voaf.ca/shamsah-mohamed/) - Shamsah Mohamed Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, it was common to see tourists walking in town with their cameras. Shamsah (she/her) first became excited to “shoot” pictures when her older brother got his first camera, but he wouldn’t let her use it because he was scared that she would damage it. When Shamsah looks
- [Sam Lynn Gallant](https://voaf.ca/sam-gallant/) - Sam Lynn Gallant Sam Lynn Gallant (she/her) was born and raised in rural Southern Ontario. Due to the distance between herself and her peers, she spent much of her time with her older brother, or alone. Sam began to draw by copying portraits from Cosmo and Teen Vogue Magazines. Sam has a passion for helping
- [Pili](https://voaf.ca/pili/) - Pili artist website Ana Polgar (Pili) (she/her) is an urban planner who developed a love for painting. After a couple of years working in urban planning for climate change adaptation in Europe, Asia and Africa, she moved to Vancouver to conduct doctoral research. Her practice and research on ecosystem-based adaptation and socio-spatial justice is driven
- [Penny N. Lim](https://voaf.ca/penny-n-lim/) - Penny N. Lim Artist website Exciting for me -- following in my brothers' footsteps by going to school! Yes, our whole family attended Britannia High School. Later, on a 5-1/2 year European working holiday, I enrolled in drawing while in Germany. Home in Vancouver, I became a medical stenographer before art studies at Capilano and
- [Omega Al](https://voaf.ca/omega-al/) - Omega Al artist website Originally trained as a traditional tattoo artist, Al (she/her/they/them) 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
- [Norman Watson](https://voaf.ca/norman-watson/) - Norman Watson Norman Earl Watson (NEW) (he/him) is a primarily self taught artist residing in Vancouver, BC. He could be considered a mixed media artist. He can use almost any medium, pens, pencils, chalk, charcoal, and paint to make what he sees tangible. His art is a way of escape, to slow his thought process
- [Norman Brule](https://voaf.ca/norman-brule/) - Norman Brule artist website Norman Brule (he/him) is a digital artist. Born in good old Montreal, he came out west as a young man. Living mostly in the Vancouver area since then, he raised 6 children here. It wasn't until he was almost at retirement age that he took up art. He is a self
- [Nané Jordan](https://voaf.ca/nane-jordan/) - Nané Jordan artist website Nané (she/her) is a lifelong artist and community worker, following in her artist family’s footsteps of always making things, discovering her love of photography in the darkroom at age 12. After growing up in Toronto, she completed a BFA in photography in the early 1990’s, studying with photo art mentors Charles
- [myclaraoceans](https://voaf.ca/myclaraoceans/) - myclaraoceans Valeria Desousa (she/her) was born in Toronto, ON and now living in Vancouver, BC. She is a self-taught artist and has had a career in aviation but during the 2020 pandemic it all came to a temporary halt. Having so much time to reflect and ponder on the next steps she decided to dive
- [Mishel Arrieta](https://voaf.ca/mishel-arrieta/) - Mishel Arrieta artist website Mishel (she/her) is a mixed media artist. She primarily focuses on abstract acrylic painting, but applies the same motives and work method to many other mediums including glass, ceramics, and textiles. Her main focus is to create a piece that speaks to the audience aesthetically while also being able to express
- [MigyB](https://voaf.ca/migyb/) - MigyB artist website Miguel Bustamante, known as MigyB (he/him), is primarily a self-taught artist based out of Vancouver who grew up between Vancouver and Lima, Peru. Coming from an incredibly artistic family, he was surrounded and inspired by various types of art as a kid, but only started painting a handful of months before the
- [Maureen West](https://voaf.ca/maureen-west/) - Maureen West Maureen West (she/her) is a self-taught artist who first took an eight session school board evening class entitled “Watercolours For Beginners.” She learned the very basic techniques of painting with watercolours. Now each day begins with a coffee at her easel while doing a few quick sketches. She says that the most valuable
- [Margaux Wosk (Retrophiliac)](https://voaf.ca/retrophiliac/) - Margaux Wosk (Retrophiliac) artist website Margaux Wosk (Retrophiliac) (they/them) is an Autistic, Non-binary, self-taught artist, designer, writer, entrepreneur, disability advocate and activist based in Vancouver, BC (Unceded Coast Salish Territory). Margaux has always been a creative person. Coming from an eccentric family of artists, they credit them for fostering their unique vision. They have been
- [Linda Haftner](https://voaf.ca/linda-haftner/) - Linda Haftner artist website Linda Hafter (she/her) is a Vancouver based visual artist, born in Guadalajara, Mexico. She started painting at a young age when she discovered that art was a way to express her feelings. Her early pieces were oil paintings influenced by Post-Impressionist artists, before moving on to creating surrealism pieces. Her current
- [Katalina Guerrero](https://voaf.ca/katalina-guerrero/) - Katalina Guerrero artist website As a young child, Katalina Guerrero (she/her) drew on everything, including her own legs and the garden wall in Mexico, where she grew up. One of her first teachers was her father, a talented artist. He not only taught her how to paint and draw, but exposed her to materials such
- [Karen Vanon](https://voaf.ca/karen-vanon/) - Karen Vanon artist website Karen Vanon (she/her) was born and raised just outside of Montréal, Québec. Her excursions into the city resulted in her love for the diversity, vibrancy, culture, and intrigue of the urban landscape. Since then she has lived in Toronto, Ottawa, and now, Vancouver. These cities, as all cities, have their own
- [Karen Colville](https://voaf.ca/karen-colville/) - Karen C artist website poshmark Karen Colville (she/her) is a West Coast Scenery Painter of mood, light, calmness, and tranquillity in her landscapes, with considerable skills in oil and watercolour. Her subject strength, recognized by her Collectors, is landscapes and in recent years those of Western Canada. Her early works were of rural life in
- [John Clinock](https://voaf.ca/john-clinock/) - John Clinock Influenced by the ‘Beat’ poets of the 1950s and ‘60s, John Clinock (he/him) left his home in the UK to travel the highways of North America. Enroute he fell in love with Canada’s west coast and remains here still, living and making art in Vancouver, BC. John failed high school art in England
- [Jacqueline Primeau](https://voaf.ca/jackie-primeau/) - Jacqueline Primeau Jacqueline Primeau (she/her) is a painter, a mixed media artist, a poet, and a traveller. She paints landscapes in an expressionistic, semi-abstract style. She is more interested in capturing the mood or essence of the landscapes which inspire her than in realistic depictions. For her, painting is poetic expression. She wants her paintings
- [Hoda Mir](https://voaf.ca/hoda-mir/) - Hoda Mir artist website Hoda Mir (she/her) is a Persian illustrator who is now located in Vancouver, BC. She originally started studying graphic design until she found a passion for illustration. So, she gave it a try and finally she received her Master’s Degree in Illustration. At first, her aesthetic was influenced by Persian narratives,
- [Glenn Hesse](https://voaf.ca/glenn-hesse/) - Glenn Hesse Glenn Hesse (he/him) grew up in Toronto, Ontario, and at an early age won the Canadian National Exhibition School District Awards in 1973 and 1975. Moving to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, after his time in the military, he studied Nursing and Graphic Design at Camosun College. After settling in Vancouver in 2012, Glenn
- [Girish Chandok](https://voaf.ca/girish-chandok/) - Girish Chandok Girish Chandok is an Indian-Canadian visual artist, primarily focused on painting and drawing. He lives and works in Vancouver where he moved in 2015 from Dubai. He grew up in a conservative brown society in Delhi in the 90s and hid his queerness, as an attempt to blend in. Although he had a
- [Georgia Youngs](https://voaf.ca/georgia-youngs/) - Georgia Youngs Artist website Georgia Youngs (she/her) has a love for painting, mostly flowers because they don't talk back to you if you get their petals wrong. But really, why does she love painting? She starts with taking very creative and inspirational photos. Ones that capture ‘her’ perspective, i.e., when painting houses she looks for
- [Fateh Creations](https://voaf.ca/fatehcreations/) - Fateh Creations Sourav (he/him) is from India, Punjab. He has had an interest in art since his childhood, but chose art as a profession in 2020. He is proficient in graphite and charcoal mediums, which started as a hobby and is unsure when it converted into a profession and realism. He is a self-taught artist
- [Dano Guay](https://voaf.ca/dano-guay/) - Dano Guay Danny Guay (he/him) is a queer outsider artist who grew up in Cobourg, Ontario. After earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Illustration from Sheridan College in 2010, he moved to be part of the vibrant art scene of Montreal, QC, where he worked as a freelance filmmaker and illustrator. In Montreal, he created a
- [Cole Schmidt](https://voaf.ca/cole-schmidt/) - Cole Schmidt Cole Schmidt (he/him/they/them) is a Queer documentarian living and working on the unceded lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tseleil-Waututh nations. He primarily works in digital and film photography. After picking up a camera in 2018 he was initially inspired by nature and candid photography. That appreciation for candid beauty, mixed with a
- [Charlie Sandeman](https://voaf.ca/2021-charlie-sandeman/) - Charlie Sandeman Charlie Sandeman is a multi-disciplinary artist primarily working in ceramics, photography, and printmaking. His work explores his life experiences as a queer trans person with a mental illness. Whether its exploring his gender identity and what that means to him, or reflecting on experiences navigating the health care system as transgender and bipolar,
- [Brandy Mars Designs](https://voaf.ca/brandy-mars-designs/) - Brandy Mars Designs artist website Since 2016, Brandy (she/her) 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. The product line has extended to home goods, clothing, as
- [Blip Photography](https://voaf.ca/blip-photography/) - Blip Photography The daughter of a “wanna be” opera singer and a never-was country music superstar, Barbara-Lynn (she/her) was given her first camera at the age of 10 to keep her occupied while on a family trip to the Montreal Olympics. She has been taking pictures ever since to make up for her lack of
- [Bay Ribeiro](https://voaf.ca/bay-ribeiro/) - Bay Ribeiro Baylei Ribeiro (she/her) is a self-taught acrylic artist based in Vancouver, BC. As a body and sex positive feminist who advocates for mental health and equal rights, Baylei uses art as an avenue for self expression and a tool to cope with her own mental health journey. Baylei’s journey is of self love
- [Barb Bell](https://voaf.ca/barb-bell/) - Barb Bell Barb Bell (she/her) is a Vancouver-based, self-taught visual artist. 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
- [Aryana Neff](https://voaf.ca/aryana-neff/) - Aryana Neff Aryana (she/her) is a multi-medium fantasy artist based in British Columbia. Largely working with watercolours, clay, and ink, she often uses many layers of mediums in one piece. She started to develop her style in 2015 by drawing small warped faces and over the years she started to add human anatomy, nature scenes,
- [Amy J. Dyck](https://voaf.ca/amy-j-dyck/) - Amy J. Dyck Artist website Based in British Columbia, Canada, Amy J. Dyck’s (she/her) 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
- [Workshops for Participating Artists](https://voaf.ca/workshops-for-participating-artists/) - How to Write an Artist StatementThis video discusses how to write your own artist statement step-by-step. You will learn how to talk about the art itself, how to communicate your story to the audience. How to Complete a Stage PlotThis video will teach you what is a stage plot, what to include in a stage
- [Charlie Sandeman](https://voaf.ca/charlie-sandeman/) - Charlie Sandeman (he/him/they/them) is a multi-disciplinary artist primarily working in ceramics, photography, and printmaking. His work explores his life experiences as a queer trans person with mental illness. Whether its exploring his gender identity and what that means to him, or reflecting on experiences navigating the health care system as transgender and bipolar, clay allows
- [MRA Society](https://voaf.ca/mra-society/) - Coast Mental Health is a Vancouver based non-profit, we know that people living with mental challenges can thrive in our communities if they are given the right resources: housing, support services and employment and education opportunities. Our approach is client-focused and community-based. The people we serve – our clients – take the lead in their recovery, working side-by-side with Coast’s team
- [Stevie Broome](https://voaf.ca/2021-stevie-broome/) - Stevie Broome is a queer, outsider, multimedia artist currently living in Vancouver, BC. With a decade of fabrication experience they melt industry and fantasy together to make unique experiences. Their style is heavily influenced by American traditional tattooing with a cartoon flair. They use the brightest acrylics on canvas and metal to create a world
- [2021 Touring Exhibition](https://voaf.ca/touring-exhibition/) - Scroll down to view page. 2021 Touring Exhibition Locations Connection Salon at Lost + Found Café When: October 29 - December 29 Where: 33 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1G4 Port Moody Art Centre When: January 13 - February 16, 2022 Where: 2425 St Johns St, Port Moody, BC V3H 2B2 Langley Arts Council
- [Andrew Woods](https://voaf.ca/2021-andrew-woods/) - Andrew Woods entered visual arts as a therapeutic outlet several years ago. Having previously worked as a writer, he wanted to develop a new artform and figured a combination of writing and visual art would be a more compelling way to express his ideas. His love of storytelling has carried him through some of the
- [Linda Haftner](https://voaf.ca/2021-linda-haftner/) - Linda Hafter is a Vancouver based visual artist, born in Guadalajara, Mexico. She started painting at a young age when she discovered that art was a way to express her feelings. Her early pieces were oil paintings influenced by Post-Impressionist artists, before moving on to creating surrealism pieces. Her current work is influenced by Frida Kahlo
- [Jacqueline Primeau](https://voaf.ca/2021-jacqueline-primeau/) - Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Jacqueline Primeau is a painter and mixed media artist who identifies as Metis. She has a BFA from Concordia University in Montreal. She has shown her work at several of the Arts Councils in BC, at the Kettle Society, at the Lost and Found Café and at the Federation of Canadian
- [CiTR](https://voaf.ca/citr/) - Photo credit: Gee Maree
- [Kids of the Frozen Coconut Collective](https://voaf.ca/2021-kids-of-the-frozen-coconut/) - Original Story Concept: Mica VelascoCreative Producer: J Peachy,Indigenous Director Advisor: Simon Winadzi JamesFilipinix Theatre Director and Performance Advisor: Denis D. Gupa Cast:Narration: Jenn Villanueva StrangewayTaeyang - Mica VelascoXiong - Simon Winadzi JamesKiko - J Peachy Puppeteering: Kiko - J Peachy Xiong - J Peachy Taeyang - Allen BaylosisProduction Coordination: Jenn Villaueva-StrangewaySound Production: J PeachySound Editing:
- [Miaad Eshraghi](https://voaf.ca/miaad-eshraghi/) - Miaad is a Persian Canadian Artist and winner of the world’s Outstanding award at Global Art Dubai. He believes the beauty of each artwork should explore the energy and feelings bestowed upon us by the great Creator. Art and design has been Miaad’s passion since childhood. Miaad began exploring the art of jewelry and sculpture
- [Connective](https://voaf.ca/2021-connective/) - Website Connective is a dynamic, innovative social service organization that works to create safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all. We do this through a continuum of programs and services related to housing, life-skills, outreach, employment, and community-based services, with the goal of assisting individuals to achieve greater independence. Using a person-centered approach, we provide
- [Workshops](https://voaf.ca/workshops-2/) - Scroll down to view page. Reframing Relations Workshop Date/Time - November 13 @ 12:00PM (PST) Location - Zoom Register now Join artists / facilitators Serene Porter and Roxanne Charles in a 90 min online workshop on "Reframing Relations". Participants will work together on collaborative, arts-based ‘Statements of Understanding’ to discover where their awareness of Indigenous issues
- [Tomoyo Yamada & Xinyue Liu](https://voaf.ca/2021-yamada-liu/)
- [Krystal Kiran](https://voaf.ca/2021-krystal-kiran/)
- [Dalannah Gail Bowen](https://voaf.ca/dalannah-gail-bowen/)
- [Robin & Wren](https://voaf.ca/2021-robin-wren/)
- [In Fuse Group](https://voaf.ca/2021-in-fuse-group/)
- [Jim Sands](https://voaf.ca/2021-jim-sands/)
- [Sajia Sultana Kabir](https://voaf.ca/2021-sajia-kabir/)
- [MAD Jazz LIVE](https://voaf.ca/2021-mad-jazz-live/)
- [Cheryl Hutchinson](https://voaf.ca/cheryl-hutchinson/) - Born and raised in Vancouver, BC, Cheryl Hutchinson received her B.Mus. degree in Composition from The University of British Columbia. Studying with Stephen Chatman, Bob Prichard, and Keith Hamel, she has composed orchestral, chamber, and electroacoustic works. She is interested in world music and interdisciplinary projects. Her body of work explores the human condition. While
- [Kiranjit Shoker](https://voaf.ca/kiranjit-shoker/)
- [Tze Liew](https://voaf.ca/2021-tze-liew/)
- [Mohamed Foda](https://voaf.ca/2021-mohamed-foda/) - Mohamed Foda first learned about the principles for creation optical geometric illusions using string art (with fine threads and nails) from a French Medical Student friend while on a summer vacation in Paris in 1973. Mohamed subsequently started to self-teach and develop his own visual Optical Geometric Artwork during the remaining years of his medical
- [Rose Poon](https://voaf.ca/2021-rose-poon/) - Rose Poon is a Chinese-Canadian illustrator and cartoonist experiencing a disability, currently based in Vancouver, BC. She originally immigrated to Canada from Hong Kong with her parents and sibling. Her absolute love of Scooby-Doo, Garfield, Snoopy, and Japanese animation inspired her to become an artist. Rose is primarily a self-taught artist, who is particularly interested
- [Coast Mental Health](https://voaf.ca/coast-mental-health/) - Coast Mental Health Foundation is a non-profit private organization that supports recovery from mental illness. One aspect of Coast Mental Health Foundation is the resource centre on Seymour St. A vital part of this resource centre is the art studio. It is structured as an all day open drop in art studio with volunteers in
- [Zac Cocciolo](https://voaf.ca/2021-zac-cocciolo/) - Zachary Cocciolo was born in Revelstoke, BC, in 1990. He is a graduate of Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Film and Screen Arts. He has autism and generalized anxiety disorder. He enjoys reading ancient literature, which is evident in his artwork.
- [Wendy Stewart](https://voaf.ca/2021-wendy-stewart/) - ARTIST WEBSITE Wendy Stewart is an emerging painter who works with acrylics, mixed media, and oils. Born in 1968 in White Rock, BC, she has also lived in the UK. She has a degree in Creative Writing, writes poetry, and has drafted two novels. Her subjects of her artwork range from swimming pools and musical
- [Tadafumi Tamura & Saori Hoshi](https://voaf.ca/tadafumi-tamura-amp-saori-hoshi/) - Saori Hoshi was born in Sapporo, Japan, and has relocated to several places including Thailand, the United States, and Canada. She considers her artwork as an incarnation of being a life-long nomad who finds a sense of comfort by not belonging and feeling out of place. Her art explores the dichotomy between a feeling of
- [Shamsah Mohamed](https://voaf.ca/2021-shamsah-mohamed/) - Shamsah Mohamed was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, before immigrating to Canada in 1974 after the Ugandan exodus. Growing up in Kenya, it was easy for Shamsah to be drawn to the local landscape; the wildlife that flourished on the savannah, as well as the varied plants that thrived along the sunny equator. After
- [Sandra Yuen](https://voaf.ca/2021-sandra-yuen/) - Sandra Yuen has been an artist for most of her adult life, turning to art as a way to heal from mental illness after being diagnosed at age 15. Largely a self-taught artist and writer, she has been practicing for 18 years and, decades ago, earned a Fine Arts Diploma from Langara College. In the
- [Rojina (RJ) Farrokhnejad](https://voaf.ca/2021-rj-farrokhnejad/) - Rojina (RJ) Farrokhnejad currently lives in Vancouver, BC. She came to the city in the early 2000’s and quickly connected with the LGBT community, finding like-minded people as herself. She proudly calls this city home. Her passions are many; however, what is most Important to her is creating works of art. RJ is a passionate
- [Riser World](https://voaf.ca/2021-riser-world/) - Riser World began as a graffiti writer before migrating to abstract art. A self-taught artist, his go-to medium is spray paint, while incorporating wood, carbon fiber, watercolors, and other items into his pieces. His pieces are created on hand-built frames in various dimensions, and also include abstract shapes in the canvas itself. In addition to
- [Pax North](https://voaf.ca/2021-pax-north/) - Artist website Pax North was born and currently lives in Vancouver, BC. His childhood was full of violent physical and psychological abuse, which evoked in him a bitter contempt for those who had what could be called a 'normal' upbringing. After dropping out of high school he drifted from entry-level job to entry-level job, and
- [Olga Evseeva](https://voaf.ca/2021-olga-evseeva/) - Olga Evseeva was born and raised in Ukraine. Despite the fact that she was talented in art as a child, she chose to build a career in business rather than art and moved to Russia at the age of 17 to study science at University. She lived and worked in Russia for many years, which
- [LeiGh Press](https://voaf.ca/2021-leigh-press/) - LeiGh Press is a self-taught, mixed media artist based in Vancouver, BC. She uses a variety of materials to create her work including fine liner, coloured pencils, gel pen and ballpoint pen. She believes creating art gives her life deeper meaning and a sense of purpose; something that she loves doing more than anything else.
- [Leef Evans](https://voaf.ca/2021-leef-evans/) - Artist website Leef Evans began painting seventeen years ago and has been painting nearly everyday since. Painting seems to be the only effective way to assuage his chronic depression, a problem he has dealt with his entire adult life. His paintings are aggressively anti-autobiographical, concerned exclusively with colour, form, and composition. Even the subject matter
- [Justin Erickson](https://voaf.ca/2021-justin-erickson/) - Artist website Justin Erickson is a self taught artist currently residing in Vancouver, BC. Favouring a combination of coloured pencil and watercolour, Justin is able to create unique textures, bold colour, and intricate details in his work. Inspired by the inner workings of the mind, his emotions, and the environment around him, Justin’s work tends
- [Beth Wilks](https://voaf.ca/2021-beth-wilks/) - Beth Wilks was born Heidi Elisabeth Lowther, in mid-sixties in Southeast Vancouver, to working-class poet activists. She started drawing regularly at age 3, inspired by frequent trips to the Gulf Islands with her parents. In response to unfolding chaos in the home, she drew with increasing intricacy and concentration, which she noticed eased tension and
- [Japhy Ryder](https://voaf.ca/2021-japhy-ryder/) - Artist website Japhy Ryder is a bipolar artist, interested in representing mental states through visual media. His work typically involves extensive digital manipulation of photographic images and output of the results in high-quality inkjet format. Some works undergo a secondary manipulation, involving layering of fixers and varnishes on top of the output to produce heavily
- [Charlene 'Chuck' Heilman](https://voaf.ca/2021-chuck-heilman/) - Chuck Heilman currently lives in the DTES. Chuck has a motley set of life experiences that distinctly inform her aesthetic decisions. In art practice, she primarily works with light, colour, and line via mixed media. Chuck’s interest in light and its ability to manipulate colour, space, and mood come forward in her work with elements
- [Cassandra Yu](https://voaf.ca/2021-cassandra-yu/) - Cassandra Yu is a Chinese-Canadian, born in Vancouver, BC. As a third-generation immigrant, she grew up traveling constantly between Vancouver and Hongkong. Her work is heavily influenced by online entertainment and Asian pop culture. In the early years of her artistic journey, she painted portraits of doll-like girls with abstract surroundings. Saturated colours, renderings of
- [BeAndra Jacqueline](https://voaf.ca/2021-beandra-jacqueline/) - BeAndra Jacqueline is a born and raised Vancouver mixed-media artist. Her inspiration to create began at an early age, when, in nature her senses would come alive with wonder and excitement. She dove into her art practice through a fascination with foreign cultures and the diverse polarities amongst people. Her abstract art is inspired by
- [Angel Strehlen](https://voaf.ca/2021-angel-strehlen/) - Angel Strehlen is a self taught artist, born in 1960 in Vancouver to a Polish mother and German father. By the age of 17, Angel was an artist, modern dancer, yoga practitioner, and a participant of a Women’s Art collective in Victoria, BC. In 1982, she opened her first gallery, Gallerie Untitled, in Victoria. Her
- [Althea Adams](https://voaf.ca/2021-althea-adams/) - Althea Adams is a visual artist, a peer support worker, and works as a basic computer tutor and a group facilitator for those in mental health support, in Vancouver, BC. She has always been a person who loves to help guide others to move forward and shine. Now, she will put herself in the spotlight
- [Alternative Creations Studio](https://voaf.ca/2021-alternatives/) - Website Alternative Creations Studio, located in East Vancouver, is a collective that supports artists with developmental disabilities. Their studio provides the opportunity for artists to hone their skills, working both figuratively and abstractly and sometimes the space in between. Since 2013, their focus has been to enrich the lives of artists, their families, and the
- [Alan Poon](https://voaf.ca/2021-alan-poon/) - Alan is an emerging photography-based artist from Vancouver. His interest in photography started from a passion for travel and a love of nature. With an education and career background in geotechnical mining engineering, he saw firsthand humanity’s awesome and awful impact on the natural landscape. After a recent career change to become a letter carrier,
- [Alex Lavrov](https://voaf.ca/2021-lavrov/)
- [Performer Template](https://voaf.ca/performer-template/) - Website ENTER BIOGRAPHY
- [Anjalica Solomon](https://voaf.ca/2021-anjalica-solomon/) - Anjalica Solomon is a genderfluid Desi poet, spoken word artist, organiser, and multi-disciplinary performer based in what is colonially known as Vancouver, BC, on the stolen and unsurrendered territories of the Coast Salish, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and Musqueam Nations. Their poetic work seeks to proclaim the possibilities of love and resilience. Anjalica is a poet of
- [Workshops](https://voaf.ca/workshops/) - Workshop updates coming soon!
- [Exhibition - 2020](https://voaf.ca/2020-exhibition/) - Scroll down to view artist works. Visual Artists Click bottom right to enlarge Contact: johnclinock(at)gmail.com Click bottom right to enlarge Contact: lhaftner(at)gmail.com Click bottom right to enlarge Contact: emhjermstad(at)gmail.com Click bottom right to enlarge Contact: cilantrolover(at)gmail.com Click bottom right to enlarge Contact: martinhunt03(at)gmail.com Click bottom right to enlarge Contact: snoopyvmontana(at)gmail.com Click bottom right to enlarge

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