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Arts Umbrella is proud to have such fantastic team of artist-instructors, and relishes in their accomplishments. Long time Early Learning instructor, Rae Maté is celebrating the release of her latest illustrated book, Pussycat, Pussycat, Where Have You Been?, written by Vancouver children's author, storyteller and educator Dan Bar-el. This book is the 4th in a line featuring her wonderful illustrations.

Rae has been inspiring kids at Arts Umbrella for many years. She explains, "I began teaching Preschool art classes at Arts Umbrella in 1993 and have been teaching continuously with the exception 1997-2000, so that's about 15 years. Amazingly, some of my first students are now graduating from high school! They may not remember me, but I hope they still love to draw. The Parent and Me classes are my favourites. Teaching the two and three year olds at Arts Umbrella and their parents is a privilege and a joy."

When asked what she enjoys about having a career in the arts, Rae says, "I love that my art, which I make primarily to challenge and nourish myself, as personal self expression, happens to appeal to and inspire others. People tell me that the paintings and art cards and books bring pleasure, meaning and comfort... and that makes me very happy."

In class, Rae inspires children to create magnificent unique pieces of art. In turn, she draws inspiration from her students. "I am greatly inspired by my 2-3 year students, every one of them inventive, enthusiastic and authentic artists, creating for the sheer pleasure of discovery and the love and magic that art brings," she explains. "It also is very helpful when I am illustrating books for young children to have my audience clearly in mind. The children keep me in touch with my most playful and uninhibited self, and I often bring ideas from the classroom into my studio work and vice-versa."

Photo: Rae Maté displays her new book, Pussycat, Pussycat, Where Have You Been?, published by Simply Read Books, in a visual arts studio at Arts Umbrella. The book is available at various children's book retailers, including Blackberry Books on Granville Island.