Festival features 56 artists selected by new inclusive curatorial committee, highlighting diversity and community collaboration

The Community Arts Council of Vancouver (CACV) is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated 8th Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival (VOAF) from Oct. 11–13, 2024 at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre. This year’s 56 participating artists were selected by a new, inclusive curatorial committee comprising past VOAF artists and respected community members. This approach is a shift from the previous lottery selection process, and reflects CACV’s commitment to uplifting underrepresented voices in Vancouver’s vibrant arts community. This year features 15 Indigenous artists from Canada and beyond, 18 artists from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and 24 artists who have mental illness.

“VOAF provides a platform to showcase a unique selection of works from those on the margins — including refugees, low or unstable income groups, neurodivergent people, and more,” says Kristin Cheung, executive director of CACV. “By involving VOAF alumni in our curatorial process, we’re committed to building a strong, supportive network of outsider artists and fostering long-term relationships between participants that will grow beyond the festival. Embodying that spirit ourselves, we’re also thrilled to have even more local organizational partners this year, which allows us to offer visitors a richer community experience.”

Ethan White is a non-binary queer artist who works in various mediums of film, photography, digital art, animation, drawing, and painting. Their work touches upon the subjects of humanity’s relationship with technology, gender identity, and their intersections with religion and spirituality. Read their full bio here.

Jason Young is a queer, neurodivergent (AuDHD) mixed-media artist whose work explores the intersections between painting and drawing, art and psychology, self and other. He creates abstract portraits and figures of the queer people he meets, and had his first solo exhibition this year at POMO Arts in Port Moody. Read his full bio here.

One of the new partnerships is the presentation of Gift of Madness, an exhibition curated by Kagan Goh in collaboration with Gallery Gachet, Workman Arts, and Voices With Impact. This Mad Pride mental health-themed show explores the therapeutic benefits of art, highlighting how creative expressions of madness contribute to both personal healing and the healing of others. Rather than focusing on disabilities, the exhibition celebrates the transformative power of artistic expression.

“Poems from the Kitchen” is a unique culinary workshop series that blends food and storytelling, featuring chefs and home cooks from diverse backgrounds alongside poets who explore themes of community, identity, and inclusion. Participants will experience and learn about different cultures through cooking demonstrations, spoken word presentations, and facilitated dialogues led by artist Johnny D. Trinh. The series is presented by BC Culture Days in collaboration with Vancouver Poetry House.

VOAF will also feature three workshops: a sketching club with Ania Salmina, a photo walk with Cole Schmidt, and a cyanotypes workshop with Hazel Yuhang Zhang. In celebration of their 15th anniversary, SAD Mag will host a collage activity in the lounge area of the exhibition hall. This year also sees the continuation of the international partnership with the Outsider Arts Festival in Helsinki, with a showcase of artists from both festivals accessible online. Works by Erin Audley, Katalina Guerrero, Alex K. Masse, and Tim Varro will be featured on the Finnish festival’s online stage.

VOAF 2024 Participating Visual Artists

Bear Studios, Charlene (Chuck) Heilman, Charlie Sandeman, Coco Agecoutay, Echo João Vieira, Eileen Clabburn, Erin Audley, Ethan White, Eva Olechowski, Glenn Hesse, Homaay.Harmony, Ian Freemantle, Jacqueline Primeau, Jason Young, Jasper Berehulke, Keeyan Suazo, Kim Brake, Klara Leppo, Lauren Angelucci, Lera Nyukalova, Linda Haftner, Lupo, Mahdieh Pourghannad, Messy Meerkat Studio, Michael Serroul, Michele D. Arthur, MigyB, Mohammad Shahidi, Nikhar Dhingra, Paulina Constancia, Peisen Ding, Pooneh Hashemian, Ramneet Kaur, Ramon Ramos, RHΞΔ, Rosa Chan, Rose Poon, Saad Qureshi, Sanaz Ravasani, Sarah Chapelas, Scout Heckel, Zahra Ahmad Akhoundi

VOAF 2024 Participating Performing Artists

Ann Kuan Wen Chou, Deborah Charlie, i+eo, Fernanda Mascarenhas, Francis Baptiste, houseguest, Iskwew Singers, Kagan Goh, M’Girl Music, Mason Meghji, Matt Hermano, Rishima, Sunny Daydream, Terreane Derrick

VOAF 2024 Participating Art Groups

Alternative Creations, MPA Society, The Art Studios

Visit www.voaf.ca to find biographies, work samples, and links for all artists.

VOAF 2024 is generously supported by the BC Arts Council, Canadian Heritage, City of Vancouver, Creative BC, Modo, Province of British Columbia, and Jamie Poh.

Festival dates and times

Oct. 11–13 from 12–8pm

Address

The Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre

181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver, BC V67 2W3

About the Community Arts Council of Vancouver

The Community Arts Council of Vancouver (CACV) is an independent non-profit organization and the first arts council in North America. Since its beginning in 1946, the Community Arts Council of Vancouver has been a contributor to shaping the cultural life of Vancouver. CACV has been a powerful force in creating and advocating for many of the institutions, traditions, and policies in Vancouver that we benefit from today. Key programming includes the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival and the Community Arts Fund, which provides grants to community artists.