RAW Adelaide presents PARAMOUNT

RAW is an international community of creative-minded individuals seeking to provide independent artists with a unique way of showcasing their work. First established in Los Angeles in 2005, the event has since spread to over 60 locations worldwide with the first Adelaide showcase taking place in early 2014. RAW encourages artists of all genres to participate in the event, having previously worked alongside independent visual artists, photographers, filmmakers, comedians, dancers, fashion designers, makeup artists, hair stylists and musicians. According to their website, the variety of artists involved in each event results in “an amazing one-night circus of creativity”. “We are all about providing creatives with a platform to showcase their work,” showcase director Sam Meathrel tells The Adelaide Review. “We put them in front of a new audience, something which many of them have not experienced before.” As well as giving artists the chance to network with media and industry professionals, RAW provides creatives with the opportunity to receive professional photos of their work, feature in a promotional event video on the night, and participate in other RAW showcases worldwide. Previous RAW artists have since attained further success in their careers. “Simmone Standing the Label won the 2014 Adelaide Fashion Festival Emerging Designer Award, band Conchilia are continuing to secure positions in interstate music festivals as well as airplay on Triple J, and just last week Precision Dance won the 2015 National Dance Championships,” states Meathrel. “Many of our visual artists have also secured ongoing commission work since exhibiting with us.” The presence of RAW in Adelaide is continuing to grow at a rapid rate, and after recently celebrating the organisation’s first birthday, Meathrel is eager to see what the future holds for the event. “As a relatively new organisation to the state, our number one aim is to continue providing the creatives of Adelaide [with] an outlet for their talent to be seen.” The upcoming showcase, PARAMOUNT, will present a diverse array of approximately 25 Adelaide artists. The event will comprise its usual selection of local designers, photographers and stylists, but Meathrel tells The Adelaide Review that the quality of visual artists lined up for the night is exceptional. Highlights include Doris Chang’s whimsical ink illustrations, Danielle Barrie’s innovative study of form through jewellery and metalwork, and Luke Parisi’s idyllic watercolour landscapes. A variety of bars will be open throughout the venue, with light meals available to order from the kitchen. Guests are encouraged to dress in cocktail attire to feel at one with the festivities. Presale tickets are available for $20 from rawartists.org/adelaide, or on the door for $25.   RAW Adelaide presents PARAMOUNT Friday August 21, 7pm The Producers Bar 235 Grenfell Street, Adelaide 5000 rawartists.org