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RAW Artists , the largest independent, international arts organization in the world have announced the National Arts Drive,  a three-hour community experience on Saturday, June 6, 2020, spanning throughout Canada, United States and Mexico. It will provide local artists an opportunity to showcase their work while respecting social distancing – from windows, balconies, driveways, front lawns, workspaces, or appropriate commercial spaces.

Collingwood resident and Orillia native Michelle Bylow is leading the charge in bringing the drive to Canada and Northern Ontario Communities.

“We are using all the resources available to us to continue our mandate of artists supporting artists,” said Bylow, executive director of RAW Artists Canada. “The drive will give artists visibility and financial support from their communities. 100 per cent of the proceeds go to the creatives”.

The Orillia & District Arts Council has joined as a community partner to help spread the word to Orillia and area artists.

The driving tour will be paired with a mobile website designed and built by RAW Artists. Art showcases will be identified on a map within the app, enabling drivers to plan their routes. Using the site, visitors can support artists by liking, following and/or sharing artists’ work via social media, tipping artists through a touch-free pay app (i.e. Venmo, PayPal), and/or making future purchases from the artists online. All donations go directly to the artists.

Bylow and her team are aiming to register 10,000 Canadian artists for the event. RAW supports 10 different verticals within the arts community – film, fashion, music, visual art, performing art, beauty, accessories, photography, craft and technology. There is no charge for artists to participate, and they do not have to be members of RAW.

For more information on RAW Artists’ National Arts Drive, visit this website or this website.