President of the Ghana Association of Visual Artists (GAVA), Nana Otuo Owoahene Acheampong, has said in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ghana has marked the World Art Day in an innovative way under the theme: ‘Artists and Creativity beyond Crisis’.

World Art Day is celebrated across the world on April 15 every year.

Nana Otuo Owoahene Acheampong said the celebration was done in the absence of physical meetings because art was a creative endeavour.

He said he was optimistic that as safety precautions are adhered to by all and sundry in Ghana and around the world the disease will soon be eradicated.

He said it was important for remedies to be obtained by states towards the effective management of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He urged all artists and the general public to endeavour to stay safe by following prevention protocols outlined by the government and health officials.

This year’s celebration marks the 8th edition of the International Association of Art (IAA) and the 5th for Ghana.

Ghana Association of Visual Artists (GAVA) as the umbrella artistic body and for that matter Ghana, became a member of the international Association in 2015 and has since spearheaded the celebration of the event in Ghana with active support from Accra Metropolitan Assembly and other artistic organizations including Ghana Grafiti and PITO among others.

About World Art Day

Every year on 15 April, “World Art Day” is celebrated globally.

This decision was the result of extensive debate conducted by an ad hoc, Turkish committee constituted for that purpose, where other dates were considered. The date happened to be the birth date of Leonardo Da Vinci.

As an artist of great exploits, with many discoveries in Art, Civil Engineering, Optics, Hydrodynamics and Creative writing skills, he was adjudged to stand head and shoulders above all other honourable artists who had left their permanent mark on our world, including Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Picasso, Salvador Dali and Marcel Duchamp among others.

ln the Report of the Turkish Committee, to the 17th General Assembly of the International Association of Art (IAA) in Guadalajara – Turkey, 15th April was recommended for the celebration of ‘World Art Day’ annually, across the world.

ln the year 2012, the celebration of ‘World Art Day’ commenced.

Currently, however, the scourge of the Covid-19 Pandemic has brought to the fore, the importance of observing all the safety protocols as directed by the state, towards the effective and efficient management of the disease.

Some activities such as art exhibitions, conferences, symposiums, workshops etc., that could have brought people together to celebrate the occasion, have been temporarily put on ice, as a result of the strict observance of directives such as social distancing, avoiding of handshakes, frequent washing of hands and other hygiene protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.