Note: the American Body Arts Festival was founded by Scott Fray and Madelyn Greco for the purpose of capturing the Guinness World Record for "most bodies painted". We held the event twice (2006 and 2007) and achieved record-breaking numbers both years. We are the current record holders with 264 bodies painted. While the "ABAF" festival is no longer active, this website has been left up as a historical document. Additionally, it outlines a lot about our philosophy as well as what we hoped to accomplish and how we went about it. Success: Guinness bodypainting record numbers achieved... Again! All About It The American Body Arts Festival joyously presents the opportunity to bring together bodypainters and other practitioners of non-permanent decorative body arts in a fun, affirming and appreciative environment. Artists from around the globe are encouraged to apply to show their work even if you can't be here to celebrate with us in person. Our uniquely designed geodesic dome projection galleries ensure ease of display without any burdens or costs associated with the shipping of framed artwork. Plans for the festival include workshops, speakers, a “frameless” 24-hour gallery show, a theatrical presentation of painted models by attending artists, a marketplace, “The Freed Form” mail art contest and an attempt on the existing Guinness World Record for “Most Painted Bodies”. Official video and photography of the events and artwork will be compiled into The American Body Arts Festival DVD, available for pre-order on the ABAF website. Artists who do attend will find ample opportunity to showcase their skills as well as network and delight in displays by their contemporaries in the field. The festival will also afford time to and relax and enjoy the many diverse offerings of the surrounding Sirus Rising Festival. A Spectrum of Practitioners We are looking forward to welcoming a wide variety of artists and "visionaries of the body"— bodypainters, henna artists, photographers that exhalt the human form through their work, practitioners of the ancient art of painting with woad. We are excited about meeting and interacting with everyone. Perhaps you consider yourself a "body artist" of another discipline that we haven't mentioned here, but would like to attend and participate. Contact us and tell us your ideas, we'd love to hear them. Please keep in mind that this festival celebrates "non-permanent" body art. While being great appreciators of tattoos, piercings and other body mods, we feel there is already strong support and a network of festivals and events for these practices. As the first body arts festival in the United States, we're hoping to shed light on bodypainting and other artforms that have enjoyed less public awareness. A Festival Within a Festival The American Body Arts Festival is proud to be a part of "Sirius Rising" a week long art and culture festival, now celebrating it's thirteenth year. Sirius and Starwood, two festivals occurring back-to-back feature a highly eclectic mix of people offering workshops, music, theatre, and celebrations exploring many facets of earth-centered spiritual traditions, crafts, and life-affirming lifestyle alternatives. It's a fun, freaky and funky learning and playing place where the atmosphere is laid-back and accepting. If you enjoy Burning Man, you'll fit right in here. There's lots of classes and workshops, a thriving merchant area full of wonderful and one-of-a-kind oddities, and an all-night, every-night bonfire around which a score of drummers pound out tribal rhythms and people dance around the fire 'till dawn. The pageantry and festivities of the big Saturday night celebration is reason enough to go. This is one of the largest and oldest festivals of this kind in America. Add to this wide range of activities and interests the unique color and quality of the body art community and you'll see that we have an incredible combination. Location Brushwood Folklore Center offers rustic, secluded, clothing-optional camping on 180 mostly wooded acres near the town of Sherman in rural Chautauqua County, New York. The campground (map) is equipped with showers, flush toilets, swimming pool and hot tub. There is a small hardware store where basic supplies are available and healthy food can be purchased from several vendors. There's also a coffee shop. We encourage you to visit the Brushwood website for more information. Pricing Please visit the Sirius Rising Festival for attendance fees. There is no additional fee for your participation in the 2007 American Body Arts Festival. Graphics Official ABAF promotional graphics have been made available for your use. Feel free to use them on your own website. Get more info here.