FringeART is the visual art component of FringeNYC. All art is collaborative, but it is particularly true of FringeNYC. We're actually one mega-collaboration! So at FringeNYC 2007, participants, audience and volunteers were invited to join us increating a COLOSSAL COLLABORATIVE COLLAGE, inspired by the work of Raoul Weiller (the artist who created our FringeNYC 2007 Illustration featured on the cover of the program guide) and his collaboration with Karen Heil, FringeART Director.

Special Events Director Kevin Bartlett and some FringeART Participants

Everyone found something they liked - a leaf, photo, picture from a publication, a color swatch, a print - anything that was 4” by 4” or smaller - and brought it to FringeCENTRAL to add it to the COLOSSAL COLLABORATIVE COLLAGE. In addition, we were able to display colossal versions of the four images by Raoul Weiler that Karen art directed, making FringeCENTRAL a gallery!
	Raoul Weiller's work on display at FringeCENTRAL

This would never have been possible without our friends at CANON BUSINESS SOLUTIONS. You see, when some of us on the Shared Space Committee at ART/NY's "Space at 520" visited Canon to see their color copy machines in action, I happened to also see a demonstration of their large-format printer. It was amazing! So, when we needed large print-outs of Raoul's digital collages, I called and asked Robert J. Wald, Senior Account Executive at Canon Business Solutions - EAST, whether they'd be willing to provide the art for FringeCENTRAL. And they said YES! And the most amazing part is their offices near Park Avenue were closed the week before the festival due to the Con Ed gas pipe explosion. When I contacted Robert to make sure everyone was okay, his first reaction was "don't worry, we should be back in our offices soon, and we'll get you the FringeART as soon as possible!". Unbelievable that he would give any thought to fulfilling an in-kind donation at a time like that! Thanks, so much, to Robert and everyone at Canon Business Solutions for making FringeART a reality!