Merriam-Webster defines an “outsider” as someone who does not belong to a particular group, but a more fitting definition might be someone who is not expected to win. Over the weekend, hundreds of artists manifested their genre-bending originality, pushing back against the constraints of traditional art spaces, at this year’s Outsider Art Fair. The event once again brought together an avalanche of artists winning the hearts, minds, and attention of viewers, in ways the art world could have never anticipated.
Founded more than two decades ago, the Outsider Art Fair has executed full collaborative fairs since 2013, but its mission has remained the same: to provide a platform for self-taught artists and create a central forum for the global conversation about work produced outside formal artistic training. Just as the halls of the fair displayed a wide range of artistic styles, the true diversity was found in the artists themselves, and the cultural frameworks woven into their work.
One of many Black artists featured prominently at the fair was Dominant Dansby. The local artist has been earning recognition in New Jersey and New York City since the early 2000s for his unforgettable approach to world-building. Dansby carves, paints, and draws entire neighborhoods into a single 37-by-33-inch display, layering storylines and details into a world that feels both expansive and deliberate. Pieces like “Cleft Dimension/Perspective” left audiences stupefied, inviting them to study every inch of the work.
The depth and contrast of his work create an enchanting fluidity, clearly influenced by jazz, yet there is order within his expression. The dimensions Dansby constructs mirror the complexity of the Outsider Art Fair itself: intricate, unpredictable, and deeply intentional. His mind works differently, and thousands gathered to witness it.
“I don’t think of [these artists] as outsiders,” said Krista Gregory of North Pole Studio in Portland, Oregon. “They are marginalized by us. They live outside of what the general public is willing to expect.”
Some gallery representatives traveled from around the world to take part in this year’s fair, but North Pole Studio’s cross-country journey is no small feat. The self-described progressive art studio provides advocacy and support for adult artists with intellectual disabilities and autism. One of the featured artists, Mark Bishop, is a self-taught portrait artist whose work is both striking and contemplative. His use of bright flashes of color, contrasted with cooler tones, reveals a deep introspection, most notably in the way he renders his own eyes, reflecting a quiet contentment.
“I think especially with this year’s fair, you’re seeing a lot of progressive art studios here,” Gregory said. “The boundaries of what’s considered art are becoming more elastic, and inclusion is a big part of embracing people’s expression artistically.”
Collectors and enthusiasts walk up and down aisles of Outsider Art Fair. (Malcolm Johnson photos) 
Close-up image shows silent reflection of Mark Bishop’s “Watching the Blazers.” (Malcolm Johnson photos) 
A rose sits on table of Montrel Beverly’s dinner spread. (Malcolm Johnson photos) 
Group works to understand complexities of piece from Dominant Dansby. (Malcolm Johnson photos) 
Artwork from Sam Doyle such as “Rae” was among highly sought-after pieces. (Malcolm Johnson photos) 
Close-up image of “Recycling Despair” by Dominant Dansby. (Malcolm Johnson photos) 
Bright and colorful piece in leather by Winfred Rembert. (Malcolm Johnson photos)
What sets the fair apart isn’t just the presence of historical, high-value works from artists no longer with us, like the exhibition featuring Sam Doyle; it’s the combination of powerful, culturally rich content juxtaposed with lighter, more whimsical expressions of Black joy. Together, they form not just a figurative spread of artistic perspectives, but a literal one as well.
“My whole job here is to interact with people and make artwork,” said Montrel Beverly, an artist whose preferred medium is pipe cleaners.
The SAGE Studio and Gallery displayed Beverly’s colorful still life creations, depictions of a fruitful harvest that are not at all edible but are no less inviting. I watched as he molded pipe cleaners into new forms in real time. A butter platter took shape before my eyes, joining a dinner table that already featured shrimp cocktail, a three-tiered cake, and champagne on ice, all crafted from the same humble material.
As visitors gathered to engage with Beverly and observe his impromptu exhibition, he remained reflective about being among such a wide range of artists. Despite his noticeable brilliance, he expressed a desire to develop some of the skills he admired in others. Still, his motivation was clear, rooted in the very spirit of the fair itself: to bring joy to those who experience his work.
“The world is starting to get sadder and more upsetting,” Beverly said. “I want people to look at my artwork and forget about real life for a second — just relax and let their inner child out.”
In a space designed for those once considered outside the margins, the artists on display were not just being seen, they were redefining what it means to win.
While the Outsider Art Fair has concluded for this year, it’s expected to return in 2027. For more info, visit outsiderartfair.com.