REDDING, Calif. - The NorCal OUTreach Project partnered with the Shasta Arts Council for the “Art OUTside Art Festival” to showcase local artists Sunday.

“The cultural district was giving out grants for artistic,community, cultural things in Redding,” event organizer Karlo Henry said.

The grant to fund Sunday’s event was put out by the Cultural District which is a part of the Shasta Art’s Council and aims to bring more artistic outlets to the city of Redding and give local artists a chance to the show the public what they can do.

“I think it’s important to show that art can be fun," Henry said. "It can be freeing. It can help you get over things.” 

The NorCal Outreach Project not only created “Art OUTside” for local artists but also as a celebration of LGBT artists, life, culture and identity in Redding and Northern California.

“We’re not here as just LGBT people. Like we have allies. There’s a lot of them here, and they’re working side by side to create a good thing for the community,” Henry said.

Dozens of artists turned out with lots of different works ranging from books, to painting to photography and even poetry.

But there were also fun activities such as chalk drawing and even squirt gun painting for the kids.

And as many artists told Action News Now on Sunday their art was selling very well.

“I only use my iPhone for everything that I do because I always have my phone in my pocket," local photographer Matthew Grigsby said. "And I’m down to 19. This is all that I have left this is my entire inventory.”