BADC Artists Paint the Town RED for HIV/AIDS Prevention

by Sharon J. Burton

The art charity exhibition, RED was kicked off on World AIDS Day on Saturday, December 1, 2007 at Peace and A Cup of Joe in Baltimore, Maryland. The afternoon was filled with artwork, artists and guests who reflected their commitment for the fight against HIV/AIDS. The exhibition, which is scheduled through January 2008, was curated and co-sponsored by Michelle d. Parrish of ThickArt Collaborative and Sharon J. Burton of Authentic Art Consulting and a member of BADC.
"The Thick Art Collaborative was inspired to produce this exhibit by the work of photographer Antonio Paterniti whose travels to Africa and abroad to work in HIV/AIDS stricken communities compelled us to take a deeper look at what art reveals about our life and times," said Michelle Parrish, CEO of Thick Art.


"HIV/AIDS has affected the Baltimore and DC areas in astounding numbers," said Sharon Burton. "Having an art exhibition at a venue like this enables us to get the message of testing; prevention and education directly to the community, especially people who need this message the most." Chris Sgro of CARE, one of the organizations that will receive funds from artwork sold at the exhibition, was present to provide information about the organization's on-going fight against HIV/AIDS in developing countries. Creative Cause also provided guests an opportunity to express their own thoughts creatively through postcards.

"As we mark World AIDS Day, we must continue to find creative ways to bring awareness and action on HIV/AIDS. That's why we will have people contribute to an ongoing exhibit as part of Plant HOPE, which has many meanings - one is HIV Outreach is a Path to Empowerment," said Tambra Stevenson, founder/director of Creative Cause and a member of BADC.
Among the 50 plus guests that attended included a group of college students from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County campus who attended the event as part of a World AIDS Day week of activities. BADC Artists included in the exhibition include: Prudence Bonds Sharon J. Burton Cynthia Farrell Johnson Elva Lovoz And others.... Special thanks to Peace and A Cup of Joe, CARE, Creative Cause and most importantly, the artists for making this a special and well attended event opening.

All content © 2007 Black Artists of DC all rights reserved. For permission to reproduce contact: editor@blackartistsofdc.org