The Raw Canvas Ideology:

Raw Canvas, at its core, is about human connection. It is an evolutionary response to a growing global need for people to get back in touch with each other. As global community we sit on the edge of a technological era that will have us rethink our fundamental understandings, beliefs and limits. As technology advances at an ever faster rate we find ourselves more connected to one another today than we have been at any point in human history. And yet, as we start to embrace this technological (r)evolution in our daily lives, our humanity begins to crave more intimate interactions, a shift back into natural balance by moving away from virtual connection and toward actual connection!

“Human Connection” as we see it, starts at the obvious, people side by side exploring and experiencing themselves and each other. However that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Once you accept the responsibility of human connection you acknowledge that there are certain basic links between every human, despite our seemingly different lives. When you think globally and accumulatively it becomes obvious that every action that affects one of us, regardless of how large or small, in fact affects us all. With this in mind you can see that human connection is not just about you and the person sitting next to you, it's about doing things that keep humanity healthy so we can continue to connect.

From a business standpoint this means examining and taking responsibility for the fundamental values passed on and supported through the sale of products and services. We are in the business of supporting human connection. It benefits no one to provide only the façade of human connection while fuelling the very things that challenge human health, and so we maintain our ideals and ethics at the core of each and every decision we make. Raw canvas asks questions like...How are the animals treated that provide the meat we eat, what are they fed, and can we be certain of those facts? Who owns the brands of paint and supplies that we carry and are they taking responsibility for the world in their manufacturing, marketing and delivery process? Can we buy wines from winemakers who still grow their own grapes on small farms, who make the wines themselves and who understand that the earth is more than just our home, it's a living organism and we are all a part of it? Can we keep our money in the local economy and reduce our carbon footprint by supporting local businesses? How can we reduce our establishment’s negative impact on the community and environment?

On a more individual level, Raw Canvas’s core offering is human connection through eating, drinking and painting…
or as we have branded it “Art + Social”. We create a beautiful and comfortable environment that facilitates the chance to be an artist. We want everyone to taste, even if only for a moment, what that feels like!  We know that in order to truly connect with others, each of us must first connect with ourselves, and so we facilitate this by creating a space where anyone and everyone can experience themselves through the creative process. We periodically invigorate and energize that environment with doses of other forms of modern, contemporary and even experimental art, allowing all humans from all walks of life to feel comfortable connecting.