Baby, It’s Bold Outside

The strangest thing about “Outsider Art” is the term itself, because it describes a fascinating world of creativity all around us. Broadly, it refers to art created by self-taught artists who find themselves on the margins of mainstream society, whether geographically or culturally. We shouldn’t be surprised to witness real skill beyond our social bubbles, but those walls do exist — particularly in the art world — so we’re impressed to see the Brattleboro Museum attempt to break them down a bit. This spring’s Outsider Art exhibit showcases works by artists with autism and other developmental disorders. According to curator Tony Gengarelly, visitors are treated to art that ranges “from evocative drip paintings to whimsical fairy tale images, folk art depictions to dramatic cubist expressions, arresting landscapes … personal narratives to fluid portraits and imaginative representations of city life.”

 Visions From The Edge — An Exploration of Outsider Art: March 19 to June 13. $4-$8. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, 10 Vernon St., Brattleboro. (802) 257-0124. brattleboromuseum.org.