Shawn Conner lists five reasons to check out the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival:

1 Support an outsider artist

A presentation of the Community Arts Council of Vancouver, the Outsider Arts Festival is going into its second year. The goal is to offer opportunities to visual and performing artists who identify themselves as “outsiders.” According to Community Arts Council executive director Eric Rhys Miller, “There are many possible and intersecting reasons (why) these artists live and work as outsiders.” These reasons might include mental health issues, physical ability differences, language/newcomer status, racialized or gender identity, a lack of formal training and/or lack of academic connections.

2 Artwork

The event includes lots of art for sale. Organizations such as Coast Mental Health are sponsoring group shows, alongside 46 individual artists. One hundred per cent of sales go to the artists.

3 Live performances

Along with art, the festival features live performances by musicians, spoken word artists, dancers, and clowns, including M. Pyress Flame, who uses dance, props, and mime in her performances.

4 Live light painting

Artist Aurelia Bizouard (a.k.a. Kulturelia) creates designs on a glass panel, through which light is projected onto a wall or canvas. The public can then paint and fill out the projected lines with colours, resulting in a collective art piece. (Registration at eventbrite. com is encouraged.)

5 Workshops

Free workshops range from the practical, such as the Business of Selling Your Art and Writing Grants 101, to artmaking. The latter includes lino block printmaking and ekphrastic (that is, inspired by another art form or work, such as a painting) writing.