AFABW Founder Barbara Cordova Oliver (visiting from Hollywood, CA) was a guest speaker. She opened with her song entitled “Mission of the Artist.” Then she gave a talk about events at Celebrity Centre International, in Hollywood, where the group is based, as well as AFABW projects.

Des Synott, Director of the Dublin chapter (pictured above with Jolanta Liadova), spoke about group projects in Ireland. He also read an inspirational poem.

The grand finale was a flamenco dance by Victor Madarasz and Lily Lorincz.

Attendees were then surveyed to find out how they wanted to participate.

Also performing at the after-event gathering was Anastasija Liadova.

Others that helped put on the event include Charmain Fitzgerald (who also had her art on display), Carol Hyland, Regina Doyle, Jessica Ryan, Paul Hallinan and Jolanta Liadova.

Leaders of associated art groups gave brief talks about their activities while musical performances filled the evening with inspirational songs. Guests enjoyed a variety of good food, as well as tasty music provided by Charlie Cox, who cooked up an instrumental feast on his guitar.

The event opened with AFABW Founder, and Celebrity Centre’s Group Activities Director, Barbara Cordova Oliver.  She introduced the group and its history, and talked about events and projects they have been involved with.  Barbara also gave an overview of the various groups AFABW has formed, and others they  have worked with over the years.

Songwriter and keyboard player, Michelle Krell, performed her own compositions, supported by 30-year veteran bass player Bozz, and by Keaton Prescott on guitar.  Michelle has also helped to organize the songwriters showcases at some of the recent AFABW arts festivals.

Richard Stewart was the Master-of-Ceremonies and kept the event fun and rollicking throughout the evening. Richard is the Co-Founder of the Renaissance Speakers Toastmasters Club, Co-Founder of the Laughworks comedy group, President of the Sunland-Tujunga Rotary Club, a human rights activist, and long-time supporter of AFABW.

David Bartlett, Executive Director of the Celebrity Centre Writers Association, gave a talk about the group’s educational activities and emphasized that the Writers Association supports writers of all forms. David has worked on more than 120 films, including Pulp Fiction, Speed and Total Recall, in a Hollywood career that has spanned 30 years.

Steve Spataro is the life force of the AFABW Musician’s Association.  He performed two of his original songs and also gave a talk on the successes of the Talent Night events that he produces, which are open to all performers. Steve is a well seasoned musician with over 15 years as a music educator and also works for a non-profit (PS Arts), which places arts education teachers in the LA public schools.

President of Artists For A Better World International, George Alger, discussed the various AFABW compilation properties, such as poetry books, short story books, fine art calendars, and music CDs that promote global artists. He also highlighted one of the purposes of the group, which is using aesthetics to create a better world through whatever means are dear to each artist’s heart. Further, he showed and discussed the Way To Happiness booklet with an AFABW custom cover, which contains 21 basic principles that guide one to a better quality of life. For the past 10 years, George has been the Executive Producer for the various AFABW compilation properties and related media, such as public access TV Shows, and Internet media, which helps to promote AFABW artists throughout the world.

Singer/songwriter Barbara Cordova Oliver, performed a set of her original songs, accompanied by Michelle Krell on keyboards; Bozz on Bass; and Keaton Prescott on electric guitar, who gave a searing performance.

Susan Boughton represented the Renaissance Speakers and gave a humorous presentation about public speaking and the value of Toastmasters to artists and all who desire to communicate more effectively to groups of people. Susan is an active volunteer in local community activities, especially through her role with the Sunland-Tujunga Rotary Club and is also on the board of directors for the “good news” newspaper, Voice Of The Village.

Deedee O’Malley is a multiple award-winning singer/songwriter/producer and has helped hundreds of aspiring musicians as a songwriting educator in colleges and music schools around the country.  As a long-time supporter of AFABW, Deedee delivers a popular seminar on songwriting at the annual AFABW Arts Festival and has also produced musicians showcases at Celebrity Centre, and taken part in other AFABW events. Tonight she performed two of her compositions and encouraged the audience to contribute their talents to AFABW and associated art groups.

Marcia Powell is the Director of the Church of Scientology Choir, which she founded in 1974. The group has performed on National TV numerous times over the years, as well as at countless community events. Tonight she not only presented a few choice choral pieces with select members of the choir, she further delighted the attendees with entertaining audience interaction, including everyone as part of the musical performance.

Special thanks to the following who worked as a team to make the event a success:

• Barbara Cordova Oliver: Event Producer
• George Alger: Video Producer
• David Bartlett: Director/Script Writer
• Larry Williams: Stage Manager, Sound and Lights
• Petrina Sharp: Art Displays and Set Ups
• Marty Buttwinick: Set Ups
• Charlie Cox: Reception Entertainment
• Yvonne Harrington: Reception
• Chris Barclay: Reception
• Jean Nichols: Food Set Ups
• Vanessa Guerrero: Food Set Ups
• Dee Dee O’Malley: Food Set Ups

Artists For A Better World International is dedicated to building a worldwide network of artists who share a vision of creating a better world through aesthetics and is open to artists and art enthusiasts of all religions, nationalities, creeds, races and cultures.

“Mail Art” includes hand-decorated postcards, cards and/or envelopes that are sent through global postal services.

What does Mail Art look like? As the artist, you decide. Mail Art is essentially art using the postal service as the medium.

Founder of the Art Day holiday, Becky Mate says “Mail Art can be sent to anyone, and is all about opening your mail and finding a postcard from an artist. It is friendly, compact, instant joy.” Additionally, she encourages all to send their mail art to AFABW by July 13, 2010.

2010 AFABW Mail Art Participation Details:

0. The Mail Art theme is “Celebrate Artists!”

1. Mail your mail art so it arrives by July 13, 2010 (allow time for postal service in your country or state), along with your email and regular address, to:

Randy Mate, Administrator
ARTISTS FOR A BETTER WORLD (AFABW) INTERNATIONAL
1134 E Lexington Dr, Apt 8
Glendale, CA 91206
USA

2. The Mail Art will be displayed at the annual Founder’s “Art and Chocolate” Art Day Celebration in Glendale, California, Home of Art Day, by international Art Day Founder and Artist for a Better World executive, Becky Mate.

3. A panel of art lovers will select the top Mail Art. The criteria will include aesthetics, colors, imagination and the theme of “Celebrate Artists.”

4. The top Mail Art will be featured at the 10th Annual Artists For A Better World Arts Festival in Hollywood, California in the fall of 2010. If you can attend the festival you’re in for a treat. If you cannot make it, your mail art will be your ambassador.

5. Additionally, the top Mail Art will be featured on the AFABW website. (Click here for the 2009 Mail Art Selections).

6. On August 13, 2010, knowing you’ve participated in a worldwide effort to celebrate artists, Have a Happy Art Day!

More ART DAY Information

For information on hosting your own Art Day Party in your area, click “ART DAY” and scroll to the bottom to receive an instant reference on “How to Throw an ART DAY Party!”

For any ART DAY questions, click “CONTACT” and address your email message to Art Day Founder, Becky Mate.

The Association presents a continuing opportunity of bridging the gap between American cinematic culture and the international film community, many of whom have already been a part of the Diversity Awards.

The MMPA, sponsors of the Diversity Awards, is comprised of individuals in the U.S. and international film communities, who share a common commitment to celebrating the diversity of ideas, stories, leadership, perspectives and talent throughout the various communication mediums.

As members arrived photos were taken of them on the red carpet, along with various celebrities. They were also interviewed by W-TV. This includes Carmelita Pittman, AFABW Founder Barbara Cordova Oliver, Yvonne Harrington, Teddy Chambers and Ana Paula and Thomas Ford.

Ana and Thomas also presented original Jimi Hendrix art work for a silent auction before the event. When the event began there was a stage auction of artwork, and Leon Hendrix (brother of Jimi and guests of Ana and Thomas) introduced one of his works.

Throughout the evening there were awards presented to a variety of film industry professionals, and celebrity performances.

Link to the Diversity Awards Event: thediversityawards.org

As guests arrived to the Garden Pavilion for the evenings festivities, improvisational pianist, JoJo Zawawi, greeted them with her aesthetic melodies.

Master of Ceremonies and comic, Richard Stewart, facilitated the evening’s award ceremonies, performances and special guests.

The Founder of Artists For A Better World, Barbara Cordova Oliver, discussed the reason for the group’s existence, which is to unite artists for the purpose of creating a better world through aesthetics. She also talked about the community activities of the group and the desire of members to improve conditions in their areas.

Jades Gourdreault: AFABW “Outstanding Young Artist”

Tracy Repchuk, bestselling author, poetry editor, international speaker and motivator, presented the first of the AFABW “Creating a Better World” awards of the evening. She presented the AFABW “Outstanding Young Artist” award to Jades Gourdreault.

Born in Montreal and educated on both coasts of the United States, Ms. Gourdreault joined the Kids On Stage For A Better World singing and dancing group at age 15, and became a strong performer and leader in the group. She helps other kids learn dances and improve their voices and choreographed the dance for the Miss Guatemala contest.

The host of Celebrity Centre International, Greg Labaqui, presented a brief overview of Celebrity Centre and its purpose in helping artists with their careers and personal lives.

The Garden Pavilion was filled with choral resplendence from the Church of Scientology Choir, led by Marcia Powell. The choir performed “Choose Something Like A Star,” with words by Robert Frost and music by Randall Thompson, as well as “Mission Of The Artist,” which was written by Barbara Cordova.

Dave Eddington: AFABW “Setting A Good Example Award”

Gilli Moon, past AFABW awardee herself, and Founder of the international songwriting network, SongsAlive!, presented the AFABW “Setting A Good Example Award” to Dave Eddington.

Mr. Eddington has been painting since he was a child and attended the Central School of Art in London. In addition to his success as a fine artist and teacher, he earned a Post Graduate diploma in Environmental Design and developed a new concept in art room space and furniture. He then began lecturing and touring, spreading new ideas to the art community in cities around the country.  He says “The dentist and space travel are reassuring, art should be questioning.”

Mr. Eddington’s focus now is a commitment to environmentally friendly building and image making and recently built a house in Venice, which became the first conventionally constructed Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum home (highest certification level) in Southern California.

Long-time singer/songwriter and performer, Barbara Cordova, belted out her songs, “Say It” and “Highway Of Life” in Rock & Roll fashion, very ably accompanied by Guy Lindley and Bozz in addition to the band From Dust To Dawn, comprised of Keaton Prescott, Alden Sayre and Collin Levin.

Michael Cory Davis: AFABW “Humanitarian Artist” Award

Roberta Perry was the next award presenter. She is President of Roberta Perry & Associates a business development consulting firm specializing in leisure entertainment, sits on the Board of Directors for The Earth Organization, and Co-Founded the Renaissance Speakers Toastmasters Club at Celebrity Center. Ms Perry presented the AFABW “Humanitarian Artist” award to actor, filmmaker, and activist, Michael Cory Davis.

Mr. Davis has been involved in the fight to end modern day slavery since 2003 when he became a Goodwill Ambassador for the organization, Face to Face Bulgaria. Through that organization, Michael met a victim of trafficking, a 13-year old Bulgarian girl sold by her adoptive parents into prostitution. Michael wrote, directed and produced the award-winning film, Svetlana’s Journey, based on her story. In 2005, the film aired on Bulgaria’s national television station and in the U.S., it won the Hollywood Film Festival for Best Short Subject as well as the HD Film Festival for Best Short, Best Dramatic Short and runner-up for Best Director.

Michael’s second film, Cargo: Innocence Lost, is a documentary focusing on sex trafficking in the United States—both films have been used by more than one hundred national and international agencies, organizations, churches, and educational institutions. Michael has worked with legislators, royalty, celebrities, and corporations to create social awareness. He is the recipient of the prestigious People to People International (founded by Dwight Eisenhower) Make a Difference award and has been covered by various broadcast and print media outlets including on World News with Charles Gibson, CNN, NBC, ABC, KTLA, and Los Angeles Daily News, bringing light to the issue.

President of Artists For A Better World International, George Alger, presented the purpose of the evening’s awards, which is to honor artists for their work in “helping others.” Additionally, he encouraged the audience to include their own songs, stories, poetry and visual art in the AFABW Artists Directory at artistsforabetterworld.org.

Rhymecologist, J. Walker, graced the stage with a performance featuring the spoken word. Mr. Walker helps at-risk youth work through their problems by expressing themselves through rap or poetry as part of his Rhymecology program. He is also the celebrity “resident poet” on the Myers & Hartman show for Fox Sports Radio nationwide. Tonight he presented his poem dedicated to artists called “Uniqueness”.

Oliver Pojzman: AFABW “Social Betterment Award”

Carmelita Pittman, also a past AFABW awardee, and Founder of the Rose Breast Cancer Society, presented the AFABW Social Betterment Award to Oliver Pojzman.

After studying Art and Design in Paris, Mr. Pojzman moved from France to the United States and created a successful career as an advertising and celebrity photographer. During the past 15 years, he has traveled over 30 countries around the world.

Five years ago he founded IrisWork, a Fine Art photography concept based on landscape panoramic photography. His limited edition pieces range in size from 4 feet to 15 feet. 
 The immense size of his panoramic projects reflects works of art that is in his words represent, “the fusion of a painting and a photograph”.

Olivier’s Fine Art pieces have been displayed at some of Hollywood’s most exclusive hotels and exhibited at Southern California’s finest galleries, such as Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Palm Desert, Laguna Beach and Miami Beach, FL. Private collectors and interior designers acquire his large-scale panoramics for their clients, and the unique style, scale and possibilities for custom–made images, have made Olivier and his art a sensation in the world of high-end décor.

The award-winning, competitive, hip hop, dance group from the Saint Genevieve Boys Dance Team, in Panorama City, brought the evening’s audience to new heights with their spectacular dance medley and high-energy choreography. These boys knows how to dance!

Gilli Moon returned to the stage to showcase her talents as a singer, songwriter, recording artist, and pianist. She performed her song “Be,” as well as “Conversations With Me,” written by herself and Grammy award-winning songwriter, Pamela Phillips Oland.

Truong Buu Giam: AFABW “Outstanding Contribution As An Artist” Award

Freelance writer, local business owner and lecturer with Narconon Drug Education, Mick Coventry, presented the AFABW “Outstanding Contribution As An Artist” award to Truong Buu Giam.

Born on Christmas Eve, 1948, in the province of Bên Tre, South Vietnam, Truong Buu Giam became a well-known artist in his hometown and was admitted to the National Ecole Superieure of Fine Arts in Saigon, the first and foremost school of fine arts in South Vietnam.

His technique is reminiscent of the spirit of the Oriental art passed on for thousands of years along with a blending within the Western culture. He has won awards of excellence and his works have been in many international publications and have exhibited and been sold around the world. He has also contributed some of his works to raise funds to support South Vietnamese widows and orphans of the war. His paintings now soar spiritually above the corners of America and around the world.

Truong Buu Giam said, “Art is an international language, it doesn’t matter what race you are, where you come from, you have a feeling when you listen to a song, look at a painting, you have your emotion, only you know it in your soul, so art touches the heart and makes people feel.”

The Hip Hype Kids took over the stage with their own brand of stage magic with a choreographed Michael Jackson dance medley tribute. These students not only excel in their own studies, but they mentor other kids to help them succeed and have a better life through health and wellness.

Chris Dellorco: AFABW “Lifetime Achievement Award”

The evening’s final award was presented by Eric Sherman, producer, director and writer of film and television. He has had five books on filmmaking published and is a consultant to Universal Studios, Columbia Pictures, Paramount Pictures and the Mount Company, and is the winner of the prestigious Peabody Award. Mr. Sherman presented the AFABW Lifetime Achievement Award to Chris Dellorco.

Although completely self-taught, Mr. Dellorco’s art career has spanned all aspects of illustration while specializing in the film industry, children’s products and children’s books. A true renaissance man, along with a degree in Economics and a successful art career, he has also written and directed an award winning short film which received international recognition.

This led to a job with the Disney organization, and for the past 15 years he has been widely considered one of Disney’s top illustrators for print advertising, specializing in Home Video packaging. His covers range from the award winning “The Lion King,” to the recent “Lilo and Stich” and everything in between. He has illustrated numerous movie posters which include “Conan the Barbarian,” “Revenge of the Nerds,” “Coming to America,” “The Marrying Man,” “The Firm,” and many others.

He received the Silver Medal award at The Hollywood Reporter Key Art Awards Ceremony for the poster “Eating Raoul,” First Place for his work on “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” Second Place for “Snow White,” and Finalist for “Aladdin-Prince of Thieves”. His work has delighted audiences young and old from around the world and will continue to do so as his work is enjoyed through the generations.

The evening’s entertainment and awards were sublimely bolstered by the visual art that bejeweled the stage and entire venue.

Special thanks to the following for helping in the production of the 9th Annual AFABW Awards Event and Concert:

Barbara Cordova – Producer
George Alger – Awards Presentation Director
David Bartlett – Director
Yvonne Harrington – Award Nominations Liaison
Annette McCullough – Stage Mgr
Liz Harding – Deputy Stage Mgr
Jasmine Harding – Stage Mgr Assistant
Larry Williams – Stage Assistant
Petrina Sharp – Awards Hostess
Reinhard Schulte – Chief Videographer
Michael O’Brien – Videographer
Ernesto Flores – Photographer
Dee Barber – Event Host
Allen Harris – Awards Designer
Tim Yalda – Awards Framing
Jennifer Gill – Food

CC Showcase Productions (Lights, sound, set-ups):

Mike Jones
Ken Hall
Julien Mueley

Artists For A Better World International is dedicated to building a worldwide network of artists who share a vision of creating a better world through aesthetics and is open to artists and art enthusiasts of all religions, nationalities, creeds, races and cultures.

AFABW Founder, Barbara Cordova Oliver, remarked about the festival, “The beauty of the the Art festival is that it is a microcosm of an ideal world where artists with diverse creations and backgrounds come together and uplift viewers and audiences with their works.”

Fine Art exhibits were on display in and around the Garden Pavilion including Irma Adams, JaJa Dario, Truong Buu Giam, David Eddington, Chris Dellorco, Olivier Pojzman, Sioux Hart, Maria Leon, Marianne Angeles, Vern Corban, Armineh Temourian, Rafik Aghakhanian, Petrina Sharp, Curtis Jones, Dave Repchuk, Caleb Repchuk, and Joan Boodnick.

Bobbi Brunoehler and Jule Rotenberg hosted the “Kids Creative Corner,” which included art activities for anyone with a a young heart. Jessica Headstream and Madison Brunoehler were the face-painting artists in residence and Linda Headstream was the Queen of Crafts. Additionally, members of the Celebrity Centre Boy Scout troop, Chris Savage, Tim Sims, Robin Farrow, Andrew Farrow, and Nishan Mood set up a “Monkey bridge” (rope bridge) for kids of all ages to test their rope walking skills.

Ian Espinoza hosted the “Life Drawing” event, while encouraging and offering instructions to attendees to sketch a series of live models. Artists of all experience levels drew remarkable representations of the models on the spot. Espinoza remarked, “I observe that many people get insecure about the subject of drawing, due to self and others invalidation, but when you get them going they start having fun and realize it is something they can do.”

Danny Kaplansky hosted the live poetry reading which featured a variety of creative, inspirational and passionate poets and proclaimed that “Artists are truly making it a better world.” Following are some of the poets who read their work:

Grammy-nominated Harriet Schock hosted the “Musicians Showcase” and said, “The people who had never been to this showcase were enthralled and loved the way they sounded on the fabulous sound system with Ken Hall running sound. They loved the other performers and the exquisite surroundings. It was a special day all ‘round.”

Here are the artists who performed at the “Musicians Showcase”:

Pro author/screenwriter Kelly Reno and producer/director/writer Eric Sherman hosted the “How to Create a Novel/Script that Sells” workshop. Kelly said, “One of the highlights of the afternoon was when Eric and I spoke about the great power writers have within them – the power to change the world with a story.”

Celebrity vocal coach, Jeannie Deva, hosted two events: her “Vocal Workshop for Singers and Actors” and “Performance Workshop for Singers and Actors.” Attendees at her workshops reflected a cross section of singers from beginners to several multi-platinum recording artist celebrities. Attendee, Sarah Boutwell of “The Platinum Blondes” wrote afterwards, “The drills and discoveries I’ve made today are going to completely affect my vocal skills. Since meeting Jeannie Deva I feel vocally free. Today I feel relieved to understand the performance audience relationship. Thank you Jeannie Deva for sharing your passion and love for music and vocal awareness with all of us!”

In the evening, the AFABW Awards Event and Concert featured entertainment by Hip Hype Kids, Gilli Moon, Saint Genevieve High School Boy’s Dance Team, J. Walker, Barbara Cordova Oliver and the Church of Scientology Choir. Comic/writer Richard Stewart was Master of Ceremonies. The AFABW Awards Event and Concert honors community-minded artists whose accomplishments have positively impacted society. The 2009 AFABW award recipients were: Outstanding Contribution as an Artist – Truong Buu Giam; Setting a Good Artistic Example – Dave Eddington; Social Betterment Award – Olivier Pojzman; Humanitarian Award – Michael Cory Davis; Outstanding Young Artist – Jades Goudreault; and the Lifetime Achievement Award – Chris Dellorco.

AFABW President, George Alger, stated “Artists For A Better World is about helping others through aesthetics.”

By uplifting the culture through aesthetics, by raising the awareness of artists and others about the power the artist has in forwarding social betterment and by working with and supporting community service activities, AFABW and its members are making and inspiring positive changes in society.

President of Artists For A Better World International, George Alger, expressed that “Artists are the life force of our world and the new AFABW website is designed to accentuate AFABW member artists even more.”

As an example, Alger stated “The new website better features artists within the rotating slide show that is one of the most visible elements on the new home page.”

Furthermore, the new website is intended to create a better experience for any and all AFABW website visitors.

The new home page now displays several recent items from some of the most popular sections of the website, such as “Art Articles,” “Press Releases,” and “What’s New?”

The most visited section of the website, the “Artists Directory,” which comprises the AFABW global community, remains unchanged. As well, it remains prominently accessed from a banner at the top of every page.

The AFABW Artists Directory is where artists from around the world register for free and upload their art, music, poetry, stories, videos, etc., and get to meet up and make new friends with other like-minded artists.

Finally, some of the beneficial differences are what’s behind the design.

As an analogy to a building, the new website equates to a complete overhaul of the foundation, plumbing and all its inner workings. The changes will make it easier to manage the development of ongoing content creation, and will better facilitate the continued expansion of the organization.

This is the fourth major revision to the AFABW website, in addition to ongoing changes since the website’s inception in 1999. Previous development overhauls occurred in 2001, 2004, 2008 (which launched the current and much more expansive Artists Directory), as well as the changes launched today.

Artists For A Better World International is dedicated to building a worldwide network of artists who share a vision of creating a better world through aesthetics and is open to artists and art enthusiasts of all religions, nationalities, creeds, races and cultures.

Part of the mission of Artists For A Better World International includes the following:

• We believe in a world where good morals are valued
• We favor art that inspires and helps make the world a better place
• We support artistic and other social improvement programs that are making positive changes in society

Click here to view the mission of Artists For A Better World.

“Mail Art” encompasses hand-decorated postcards, cards and/or envelopes, which uses the postal system as a medium.

This year’s mail art project resulted in original art cards being sent from various corners of the world, as a part of the 11th anniversary celebration of international Art Day, a holiday for art and artists. This year, Art Day fell on August 14 and the theme was “Celebrate Artists!”

Becky Mate, who presided over the selection of of the mail art, stated, “Thanks to everyone who participated. It lets us know that you feel artists should be celebrated the world over.”

The following four selections of mail art were chosen as the top works for the 2009 AFABW Mail Art project.

Click each artwork to enlarge.

Artist, Annais M. Allen of New Zealand

Click to see more of Annais M. Allen’s artwork in the AFABW Artists Directory.

Artist, Miles Baker of England

Click to see more of Miles Baker’s artwork in the AFABW Artists Directory.

Artist, Leslee McDermott of the USA

Artist, Debra James Percival of Canada

Click to see more of Debra James Percival’s artwork in the AFABW Artists Directory.

Artists For A Better World International is dedicated to building a worldwide network of artists who share a vision of creating a better world through aesthetics and is open to artists and art enthusiasts of all religions, nationalities, creeds, races and cultures.

AFABW activities include art and social betterment projects and/or events conceived to foster heightened awareness with and through art and artists, to help build a better world through aesthetics.

One comment that Mate kept getting at the party was appreciation for that she had set the Art Day holiday in motion.

The children’s Art Hunt was a success. Children searched for art supplies, CDs and little objects of art which were hidden for them in the back garden.

When she asked what kind of art they liked to do, they were all bursting to tell her.

Mate told them that long ago the Magic Picture frame was beautifully made by an expert carpenter, but he felt lonely because he was empty. Then he found out how much creativity and imagination is in the heart of children. Because of the children, his frame was always full of wonderful art, so each year he gives children gifts of art in appreciation of their artistic inventiveness.

One of the moms listening was nodding approvingly. When they ran enthusiastically to the back garden to look for the hidden art, their exuberance surprised the mother of two of them, as they nearly bowled her over. Once they got their treasures, they were showing each other, trading amongst themselves and showing the adults what they had gotten.

The networking aspect made the celebration a matchmaker between artist and venue.

One artist, Marina Rehrmann, gathered artists for a show in an empty building in Pasadena that will be the Church of Scientology Pasadena.

Another, Barbara Oliver, encouraged artists to attend the annual festival in Hollywood at Celebrity Centre International, put on by Artists for a Better World.

Rehrmann also knew a person that would be interested in Christina Tashjian’s large paintings (8 feet tall) and facilitated further meetings.
Rehrmann said that a couple of the artists who came were inspired by the response to their work to create a larger body of work so they could go from hobby to professional status.

Leslee McDermott showed her silk flower arrangements. She began doing them because she saw so many people being down about all the bad news in life. With little flower arrangements, she brightens their day. Because they are silk, they last, and can perk someone up on into the future.

Young Vardui and her sisters, longtime yearly attendees, brought drawings about Art Day.

The youngest artist bringing a canvas of his painting was 6-year-old Sarkis Tashjian, son of artist Christina. He had gathered up his stuffed animals and painted a picture of them on canvas, and one could distinctly make out two pigs, a teddy bear, etc.

A thirteen year old showed her illustrations.

At the open mic (without the mic) artists shared poetry, music, visual art, etc. People are thrilled to show their work, although one adult was a bit shy and Mate had to show her work for her.

A Glendale News-Press reporter, Mary O’Keefe, came while Mate was setting up and she talked to her for a long time. She liked the fact it was a homegrown holiday. Her photographer came and took photos.

Also during the party, Ruth Sowby, who Mate has known for years through the Glendale Arts and Culture Commission and through Alameda Writers Group (which meets at the Glendale Library,) columnist for the Glendale News-Press came and took notes for her Weds column. Prior to Art Day was yet another article in the Glendale News-Press featuring Alice Asmar, whose work was displayed prominently at the party and Marina Rehrmann.

Shery Miljoner showed her handmade artistic jewelry. She had been instrumental in placing notices about the party in local papers, such as the Pasadena Weekly, and even co-wrote and article about Art Day which appeared the Tujunga Foothill paper.

Elissa Glickman, who runs www.GlendaleArts.org and who is the marketing director of the Alex Theatre, has supported Art Day for many years by putting a poster in the frames at the Alex and she invited Mate to the Downtown Glendale Merchants Assn and asked her to bring posters for attendees to post, and took some for businesses who weren’t there.

Mate had designer Paul Huth in San Diego design a poster. Then Mate went along the main street in Glendale and asked store owners for permission to hang the posters that said, “Celebrate Artists; we wish you and your family a Happy Art Day.”

One of the posters was also hung in a restaurant in Hollywood, where the owner was so impressed with the idea that he called the editor of the Asian Journal and asked her to cover the story. Mate sent her a press release about Art Day, which was published without changes.

The garden of a 20-apartment building was where the celebration took place. Three of the tenants put their art in the lobby.

One of the people who attended used to own a gallery and is an art rep, Carol Williams.

The new President of the Glendale Art Assn (GAA), Art Ranklin came to the party. Mate did a presentation to him of the 4th annual Mayor’s Proclamation of Art Day for taking responsibility for the artists in Glendale. He said that the GAA artists will be having more venues, and he wants to let more people know about the GAA.

One of the Commissioners on the Glendale Arts and Culture Commission, Aramazd Stepanian, an actor and theatre owner, volunteered to be on the Glendale Art Day Committee for the next year.

Click the following link to see the top four selections of art for the AFABW 2009 Art Day Mail Art project.

Carmelita Pittman

July 4, 2009 – Hollywood: Artists For A Better World members contributed to a day of arts and music at Celebrity Centre International. Art exhibits surrounded the Rose Garden café.

Artists included Patti Nicklaus, Jennifer Gil, Dave Repchuk, Nathanaelle Lay, Curtis Jones.

Carmelita Pittman took a blank canvas and painted a picture on the spot.

Children enjoyed having their faces used as canvases as face painter Ron Fugitt decorated them in a variety of ways. The kids also indulged in clay sculpting with artist Jule Rotenberg, who provided the clay and helpful instructions to go along with it.

Later in the day the Rose Garden Café came alive with a music and poetry showcase hosted by Tom Little and Tracy Repchuk. The performance opened with Carmelita performing God Bless America in honor of the holiday. Sylvie and Geoff Taft, AFABW members from Arizona, performed a guitar and vocal duet. Steve Wagner energized the audience with classic rock songs. Barbara Cordova Oliver welcomed the audience to Celebrity Centre, talked about upcoming events and performed original songs.

Tracy Repchuk

Tom Little and Adam Rosenthal Rocked the house and were followed by newcomer Chase Carlisle who performed his originals. Vino Allen, another newcomer, performed classic rock songs on his guitar.

Tracy Repchuk hosted Poetry hour, and read original inspirational poetry. Guest poets included Jim and Barbara Ellingson and Russell Salamon.

Liz and Jasmine Harding also helped out with talent and show coordination.

The people who attended enjoyed the aesthetic ambiance while many feasted on barbequed burgers and hot dogs.

The evening culminated in an Independence Day fireworks display on the 6th floor deck of the Manor Hotel.