AFABW hosts a World Art Day Party

Artist for a Better World Member (AFABW) Becky Mate hosted the annual Community Art and Chocolate Party celebrating World Art Day on Sunday afternoon 04-19-26 in Sunland, California.

Becky took to heart the AFABW theme this year for this 250th year of our country which is “Celebrate Creative Independence” where artists have always been free to dream, create the future and give hope.

Some history: Inspired to create a day for the artists and artists of all disciplines while at an AFABW show in 1998, she has been championing artists ever since.

World Art Day was established in 2012 by the International Association of Art, and then formally recognized as a UNESCO international observance in 2019 to promote global awareness of creative activity, artistic freedom, and the contribution of artists to society. They chose the date of Leonardo DaVinci’s birthday, April 15th. Rebecca (Becky) Mate’s work has appeared in the IAA’s past virtual shows, and her painting, “Artist Day at Rancho Camulos,” was accepted to this year’s online show under the theme “Confluence, a coming or flowing together.”

Mate said, “I held this annual party as an example of how one can invite artists and celebrate World Art Day, and I’ve always suggested that everyone ‘Give the Gift of Art.’ It was time for me to set an example of art giving with a Free Art Giveaway. Without prompting, other artists donated works to this effort. Each attendee left with one piece of art that spoke to them. For example: One guy chose a photo that reminded him of where his mother lived, a woman who lives on my street picked a painting of our street with a peacock on it because we have these birds running around, a dad picked a tiny canvas with cacti because his daughter paints these, a local store owner picked a deer painting because it reminded him of a town he lived in near Canada, etc. Given that art uplifts people, we put a lot of smiles on a lot of faces.”

This year’s Featured Artist was Sylvie Abrams of Sunland, member of the Glendale Art Association, who paints animals, landscapes and abstracts in oil. She studied painting in Lyons, France where she exhibited some of her works at one of the Hewlett-Packard offices and in the international contemporary art showcasing event Biennale de Lyon. Her virtual art has been projected on buildings in New York and Madrid via Metro Expo. She moved to Sunland in 1995 with her husband Andrew Abrams, who passed away in 2025. As a tribute to him as an artist, Sylvie brought a “coffee table” book, a collection of Andrew’s artwork. She said “I work with animals; I’m concerned with the environment. I am excited about this arts event!” She introduces her animal portraits, especially the primates, by the animal’s name; not only does she know them from working with them, but you can almost see in their eyes that they know her.

Two of Becky Mate’s paintings hid under velvet until the reveal during the arts party. One of the paintings, “Rocket Gallery,” inspired by Lady Rocket of space assets fame, has a round wire on the back so that it can be hung at any angle (to enhance the weightlessness feel.)

The Mistress of Ceremonies, Jill Meunier, known as “The Dog Poet” shared poems which reflected the innermost thoughts of our furry friends. Other poets who read were Alice Pero and Joe DeCenzo. Joe and Sylvie also performed in a short play by Becky Mate, about a cafe owner lifting up an artist who had been criticized into apathy by her art teacher. There was an arts table for children, and some wooden toys created by finish carpenter Rick Bittle. And 30 The Way to Happiness books were given out.

Randy Mate’s company, New Castle Remodeling, provided shaved ice this year, along with his traditional barbecued hamburgers, hot dogs and grilled chicken sandwiches. Attendees brought potluck dishes, or chocolate.

And everyone feasted on the aesthetics throughout the day!

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