About Us
- The Gallery was founded in 2005 by George and Sue Viener. The term "outsider art", coined and articulated by Roger Cardinal in 1975, has helped legitimize the work of many fine artists, who otherwise would not have been considered artists. "Self-taught" is a more encompassing expression that includes people living mainstream lives, who were not trained as artists, but who make art. Great artists produce great art, whether they are trained or simply have a natural gift for expressing themselves.
- In 1970, Sue and George Viener were introduced to the world of Folk Art and Americana during our visit to the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Museum in Williamsburg, Virginia. In 1986, we met Chuck and Jan Rosenak in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and we were welcomed by them into the world of living self-taught artists.
- Read about Sue and George and the gallery in July 2008 Berks County Living Magazine
George Viener with Thornton Dial and Bill Arnett - 1992
- In 2015, after 10 years located at the Goggleworks Center for the Arts in Reading, PA the Gallery became an online only operation.
- In 2016, the Outsider Folk Art Gallery lost its beloved co-founder, Sue Viener. Sue and George developed a love for art and for supporting artists. They especially loved Folk Art and Outsider Art and they opened a Gallery at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts when it opened many years ago. She was a wonderful Wife, Mother, community volunteer and supporter of the Arts. She will be remembered and missed by many.
- In 2019, Diane Hill, an employee of the Gallery since it opened, purchase the gallery from George.
Diane Hill and Brent Brown