News

When the Southern California chapter of RAW was invited to participate in an art event and silent auction benefiting the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, titled “Art House 2011: Building Hope Through Art,” we couldn’t say no. Art changes the world. We believe it. Art is even more powerful when artists join together in their efforts, big or small, for a greater cause.


[Paintings by RAW Artists (left to right): Kim Winberry, Meagan Segal, and Regina Wyatt]

Held at the Arena 1 Gallery in Santa Monica, the silent auction raised over $40,000 to help build homes for local families in need. RAW alumni Meagan Segal volunteered as both an art docent at the event, as well as an artist whose painting titled “Riveted” was sold in the silent auction. Alongside Segal were RAW artists Kim Winberry, with her water color painting “Descanso Dahlia 2,” and Regina Wyatt’s “Cityscape 4 - Markets.” Artists donated all proceeds to the cause.

RAW would like to thank all the RAW affiliates, artists, staff members and volunteers who came out to help at the event and educate the guests and bidders. We’re always so grateful to have opportunities to give back, and even more grateful to have a community of artists who share our vision.

RAW sends its heartfelt appreciation to: Mica Teal, Byron Arreola, Kaila Yu , Taryn Do, Arthur Siller, Joseph Santos, Meagan Segal, Regina Wyatt, Kim Winberry, Eddie Garcia, Breonte Riddle Sprigger, Brian Barden, Allison Hetrick, Andrew Magana, Rob Macias, Kelsey Petersen, and the Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles.

Despite the organization’s recent expansion and presence in over 17 metropolitan cities and art markets nationwide, RAW:natural born artists did not pass up the opportunity to throw an eclectic, springtime art party in their own backyard -- where it all started -- Orange County. RAW teamed up with the Kaleidoscope Shopping Center in Mission Viejo on Saturday, May 21st and brought a true “kaleidoscope” of creativity to their own stomping grounds, dubbing the event “OC RAWk Fest.”

RAW packed the plaza with two stages, bands, fashion shows, dance performances, DJs, local visual artist displays, accessories booths and vendors, photo opportunities provided by OC Photo Studio, as well as crowds of art- and OC- lovers alike.

Electrocity, a local Santa Ana-based indie garage-rock band, kick-started the daylong festival with their hot, hip-shaking tunes, jibbing perfectly with the enthusiastic attendees and the hot summery weather.  And, the fellows were in good company. Pop rock group Gorgeous Got a Gun and The Filthy Violets kept the energy going with lively music.

 Throughout the day-long festival, the opposing catwalk stage featured new summer collections by talented local fashion designers like Virgina Ying, Hummingbird Designs, Rey Swimwear, Malice of Phelious and Mrs. Five Clothing.

RAW also presented a special show featuring Costa Mesa-based makeup artist Alexander Peuchot, who sent models baring his creative work down the runway.

Rock/rap musical artist and lyricist Poet Nomad Ali brought the day to a close with an appropriate song about the ever-so strange and splendid Orange County living most were all too familiar with, exciting the audience.

With major metropolitan cities like Los Angeles and New York City at the forefront of the arts and entertainment world, OC RAWk Fest served as an exciting reminder that creativity still exists in our own towns and that artists live, work, and are born in our very own neighborhoods.

“We have a lot of talented artists in our community -- especially in Orange County -- so we said, ‘Why not?’” explained Heidi Luerra, RAW executive director. “We are making plans to host many more RAWk Fests nationwide!”

RAW sends out a special thanks to all of the artists, volunteers, models, Kaleidoscope, Code 4 Media, Perrier, and of course, the guests who came out!
For more photos from the event, visit our Flickr Page

After witnessing the organizations’ many successes this past year, the three directors of RAW:natural born artists -- Founder and Executive Director Heidi Luerra, Marketing Director Matthew Klahorst, and Development Director Vy Pham -- made plans to launch their local showcases nationally and open up 17 new locations so that artists from all over the country could have a chance to be a part of their artistic movement.

Armed with four wheels and a videographer, the RAW team set out on their road trip at the end of December to meet with independent artists everywhere and promote the launch. The group travelled 10,000 miles, in less than a month, to 17 different cities across the states. The trip was sponsored by Magic Software’s UniPaas Jet, a new program used to build applications geared toward young people. The cross-country journey served two purposes: to promote the RAW locations in each city and to capture the stories of artists everywhere through a DIY documentary.

“We picked these cities because they are in major metropolitan areas,” says Pham. “We’ve noticed that in these cities, take the L.A. market for example, it’s only the big players that get all the great chances. We want to be able to open up new opportunities for the starting, starving, independent artists living and working within these communities.”

“A big part of our motivation for our RAWcross America endeavor is to provide mobility for artists” says Luerra. “With our new program rolling out in 2011 we can send a local Phoenix artist, for example, to New York. Our nationwide network allows us this privilege. To be able to pass this along to our artists is priceless in the indie arts world”

The team was able to conclude their trip with no accidents, no blizzards, and no flat tires, however, were set back when the videographer, Vinnie Martinez, was was rushed into emergency surgery early in the trip. The team of four dwindled to a team of three, who filmed the documentary themselves as they were busy meeting and greeting local creatives in each city. All the while, working on a huge nationwide launch from the backseat of a less-than-spacious SUV. Now back from a long, labor-intensive journey, the three are reinvigorated and their passion for any aspirations for the organization’s growth and the support of underground artists is stronger than ever.

RAW:natural born artists is scheduled to launch its 2011 season in Hollywood, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Berkeley, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Sacramento, Orange County, San Francisco, Portland, Austin, Nashville, San Diego, Chicago, and New York City throughout the month of February and continue monthly arts showcases in each city through October 2011. The RAWcross America documetary is set to launch in late Summer.