On Saturday, May 12th, A Window Between Worlds’ 19th annual art festival, Art in the Afternoon, took over the Venice Skills Center. AWBW was proud to share a special benefit performance by the renowned all-female tap troupe Syncopated Ladies, known for their video to Beyoncé’s hit song Formation, seen by over 6 million people. Back again to host our event, Actress and Advocate G Hannelius, known for her starring roles in Disney’s “Dog with a Blog” and Netflix’s “American Vandal,” kept the crowd informed and entertained as she guided guests through the festival’s activities and performances.
Our festival was attended by over 500 guests including families, AWBW supporters, and teen celebrities from all over Los Angeles. We raised almost $82,000 thanks to our guests, the help of our Host Committee, 27 Corporate Partners, and generous event sponsors! It was so inspiring to see how everyone came together to share AWBW’s commitment to the healing power of art.
A beautiful Venice afternoon set the mood for a day of fun and creativity. Admission included a variety of art workshops available for all ages, including Wellness Rocks, a meditative rock painting art project. This year, Art in the Afternoon featured AWBW’s community art initiative, At the Core: Transforming Trauma Together. Guests were invited to contribute to a community mural designed by At the Core’s Lead Artist Fabian Debora, as well as create At the Core-themed Touchstones and Shrinky Dinks with the help of volunteers from Casting Society of America Cares.
For lunch, everyone’s favorite In-N-Out Burger® Cookout was there, along with long-time supporters Panda Express, Fresh Brothers, Huberts Lemonade, and snacks from Nature’s Bakery and Gogo SqueeZ. Brand new vendors Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop, Blue Bottle Coffee, Brew Dr. Kombucha, and Essentia Water also provided delicious food and beverages. To everyone’s delight, for the second year in a row, our dessert sponsor was our Venice neighbor, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams!
Along with the Syncopated Ladies, stage performances included Hoop It Up and hip hop with LA DanceFit. Guests also enjoyed beautiful DIY Marley Flower Crowns, balloons from Daizy the Clown & Company, Bubble Rollers sponsored by Hogan Lovells, Color Me Mine ceramic painting, chair massages from Creative Chakra Spa, chalk art with Art Institute of Hollywood, custom aromatherapy blends by doTERRA, an Instagram wall made with raw materials from our friends at Two Bit Circus Foundation, a silent auction and opportunity prizes with the help of Women@Google and Vote What Matters, carnival games with prizes led by National Charity League – Beachside Chapter, face painting, and hanging out on the fire truck with the local firemen of Fire Station 63.
Thank you to all our hosts, sponsors, volunteers, donors and guests who played a special role in making Art in the Afternoon a success! Be sure to check out the beautiful images on our Facebook page!