NEW YORK.-The 16th Annual Outsider Art Fair returns to the Puck Building in Soho; a tradition that Grace Glueck of The New York Times calls a “robust extravaganza.” Devoted to works created by artists removed from mainstream society--outsider, primitive, visionary, and intuitive art--this fair was the first of its kind.

Over 20 years ago, what is now known as Outsider Art was initially exhibited at the Fall Antiques Show at the Pier. At this fair, a Bill Traylor work sold for about $50--today the same piece would sell for 6 figures. The Outsider Art Fair has brought this genre into the light, and Glueck notes, “aside from its stellar sellers, the fair keeps drawing in fresh talents...”

Exhibitors: The Outsider Art Fair welcomes new exhibitor, Fischer Kunsthandel & Edition from Berlin. Thirty-two other international dealers return to the fair this year, many of whom originally pioneered collections of Outsider Art including: The Phyllis Kind Gallery, established in Chicago in 1967 and now located in New York City which devoted its interests to contemporary outsiders early on; Galerie St. Etienne, who discovered Anna Mary Robertson “Grandma” Moses, and represents the estate of John Kane (NYC); American Primitive Gallery (NYC) and Ricco/Maresca Gallery (NYC), both of whom have been in the business of self-taught and Outsider Art for over 25 years. Please see links to websites for all exhibiting galleries at www.sanfordsmith.com.

Artists in Attendance - Self-taught artists Mary Whitfield and Craig Norton will both visit the fair alongside their works at Galerie Bonheur’s booth.

A gala preview held at the Puck Building will celebrate the start of the fair Thursday, January 24, 2008 from 5:30 - 9pm. Proceeds will benefit the American Folk Art Musuem. Entry times and ticket prices vary; call the museum special events office at 212.977.7170, ext. 308.

The Outsider Art Fair is a key event in the American Folk Art Museum’s Outsider Art Week: Tuesday - Sunday, January 22 - 27, 2008. Contact the museum for more infomation about Outsider Art Week’s evening events, symposium, panel discussion, tours and receptions. www.folkartmuseum.org, 212.265.1040, or info@folkartmusuem.org.