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Raw Boston closes out season with awards extravaganza

Shanice Maxwell
Raw Boston closes out season with awards extravaganza
Raw Boston

Painting by Wendy Darling

Sundays are good for lots of things — namely church, football, family dinner and catnaps. But if you’re looking to put a cherry on top, spend it with RAW Boston.

RAW, a national arts organization for emerging artists in the first 10 years of their careers, has chapters in over 15 cities around the country, and in Quebec, Montreal, London and several cities in Australia.

Comprised of “natural-born artists for artists, by artists,” RAW Boston is on a mission to equip artists with the necessary “tools, resources and exposure needed to inspire and cultivate creativity,” according to its website.

On Sunday, Oct. 27, you can join this diverse community of international, imaginative individuals for a unique experience at Rumor Boston — RAW Boston will wrap up yet another successful season of showcases with a mixture of arts, fashion and music, the November RAWards.

Every fourth Sunday of the month, local artists in the fields of visual art, fashion, performing art, music, hair and makeup artistry, film and photography, as well as local models, are spotlighted.

“On average each event draws around 400-500 people,” says RAW Boston director Faith Verrill. The turnout for Sunday should be no different.

Breaking into the art industry is no easy task, and historically the Hub hasn’t been the most welcoming place to facilitate that transition. That’s why RAW Boston takes pride in having a springboard through which local talent can be shared with the masses. Since its 2011 inception in Boston, RAW has been a raucous ride for all involved.

Because of RAW, 21-year-old visual artist Wendy Darling of Brockton, by way of Haiti, has been able to actualize her gift and love for art as never before.

“What’s great about RAW is that it’s leading the revolution in the sense that there’s something happening with creative people standing up and stepping out and doing exactly what they are called to do, ” Darling says.

“It’s very amazing to actually be a part of a community that’s pushing me to be known as an artist. We have the opportunity to create a space within a space. I hope people can appreciate the work that we’ve all done.”

Darling discovered her knack for art after spending endless amounts of time creating a vastly intricate science project in third grade, when most of her classmates created the solar system out of Styrofoam. Today RAW has helped her cultivate a unique learning experience and hone her skills.

Art by Jeffery Erler

RAW Boston production assistant and pop abstract painter Jamaal Eversley, 25, of Randolph, has been on the scene with RAW for the past year-and-a-half and shares Wendy’s eager and excited feelings for Sunday’s show.

“It’s just a kaleidoscope of all types of art mixing into one. You’re seeing a fashion show. You’re seeing live music. You’re dancing to what the DJ spins. You’re seeing art. You’re seeing photography. You’re seeing it all, all in one room,” says Eversley.

The walls will be covered in art and photography for viewers to peruse. The audience will have the chance to meet the artists and photographers who created the works and buy pieces. There will be a fashion show and a disc jockey spinning on the ones-and-twos as well as four live bands performing throughout the evening. Networking is also a big part of the event.

And that’s not even half of all RAW Boston has in store.

Despite the season coming to a close, all artists are encouraged to attend this event and apply on the website, www.rawartists.org, so they can be a part of the next event in January, Eversely adds.

If you’re into the arts and looking to become more involved, or just want a cool way to spend your Sunday evening before the work week begins, the RAW Boston season finale at Rumor Boston is the place to be.

Says Verill, “RAW really encompasses all of the arts into one big showcase. It’s a little bit of everything for everyone.”

Tickets cost $10 and can be bought online until Saturday, Oct. 26, at 11:59 p.m. for Sunday’s showcase. On Sunday, tickets will be available at the door for $15. For more information about RAW Boston and the November RAWards please visit www.rawartists.org.