Some Thoughts on We Were Here
The following post was written by Marie-France Roche, student intern at Art for AIDS International.
I recently watched the film We Were Here, a 2011 documentary directed by David Weissman. The film explores the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco in the early eighties. Weissman's piece follows five individuals affected by the AIDS. To me, the most powerful testimony was one by an artist named Daniel Goldstein. He struggled with AIDS throughout his life, losing two of his beloved partners to the disease. He founded Under One Roof, a gift shop where all profits go to educational, medical and support services. In the film, Goldstein explains that volunteers at the shop would often be AIDS patients, and come in once a week to volunteer. Their work at the gift shop, as Goldstein explains, served as the patients’ social life.
Goldstein's initiative reminded me of what we do at Art for AIDS International: Individuals can bond over artwork, and share their stories and experiences with AIDS. At our workshops or in our gallery, there are always people who have dealt with AIDS to some degree, even if we are not aware of it. By creating a common place dedicated to creating art for a wonderful cause, we can also support those close to us who may have had difficult, life-changing experiences with AIDS.
Goldstein’s artwork has also been hugely successful. "Medicine Man II" is the second project by Goldstein for Make Art Stop AIDS. Using the medication bottles of South African individuals living with HIV, the sculpture also incorporates dozens of brightly colored, hand beaded spindles, created by the craftspeople of the UMCEBO Trust.
You can check out more of his art at: http://www.danielgoldsteinstudio.comand here is the trailer for We Were Here.
Art for AIDS at APK: A Huge Success
The following post was written by Art for AIDS Marketing and Communications Intern Marie-France Roche.
We were delighted to host our event Art for AIDS at APK on Saturday, March 9th. Three interns, Francine Navarro, Robyn Bell and myself, along with Hendrikus and the rest of our hard-working team coordinated this event. The APK was nearly at capacity and we were thrilled with the turnout. Everyone enjoyed good food, lively conversation, and some wonderful live music. Our friends, family, and regular APK-ers attended to support. Each guest was invited to choose one of a selection of prints to take home with them. Having the support of the community keeps our dream of defeating the AIDS pandemic alive, and every small donation counts towards this ultimate goal. We hope to have more events as successful as these, and your continued enthusiasm is an integral part of our organization.
One of our volunteers, Georgia Hinton, took some wonderful photos at the event. Take a look:
We had some talented performers who were very eager to support the cause, and provided some wonderful entertainment for our guests. A great big thank you goes to Kevin Murphy, Lauren and Katie Channer-Elfman, Justin Maki, Elivia and Anita Cazzola, Scott Brunelle, Laika and Benjamin Kehoe, Ben Young-Steinberg, Randy Komi, and The APK. We would also like to thank our guests: with your continued support, we are keeping the hope to ultimately abolish the AIDS epidemic.
Thank you again, and stay tuned for more Art for AIDS events. We'd love to see you out again soon.
Reflections from South Africa
The following post was written by Art for AIDS Marketing and Communications Intern Robyn Bell.
At Art for AIDS International, it is always our intention to have an impact on young people that extends far beyond our two-day workshops. Last year and the year before, we travelled to South Africa to host workshops in Soweto, a township outside of Johannesburg. At every workshop, we hope to educate about the impact of HIV, but also to build confidence for participating young people. We seek to educate, inspire and motivate them. Our hope is that after these workshops have ended students can continue to make a difference in their communities.
From our workshops in Soweto in 2012, we received overwhelmingly positive feedback. It was wonderful to hear how confident each student felt after the workshop, and about their desires to continue with community involvement around HIV awareness after the workshop had ended.
Here are some of our favourite comments from participating students:
“This workshop was a blessing to me. It taught us how to be determined to get what we want in life. They taught us to love our community and to love ourselves, and to engage in the community.”
“What I found most valuable is that keeping something to yourself is not a good thing, you must learn to express it and that a collage can tell a really good story.”
“It taught us about what we never knew was real. It encouraged us to realize that anything is possible. It brings hope to those who never thought they could make it in life.”
“We were able to be open and we were given a chance to speak about anything we wanted to.”
“I really appreciated the help and idea that we got from Hendrikus. We were made to recognize things we didn’t know we could do.”
“The workshop was brilliant, it took our minds off a lot of problems that we have as teenagers. Participating in it was therapeutic and helped me to distress.”
“The workshop opened my eyes and made me realize that art is more like your daily routine, meaning that art is what you eat, sleep and walk. It really made my day.”
“The workshop really taught me to believe in myself and not to think about what people say behind my back. From today I will stand up for myself and achieve my goals as a young woman.”
To these students, we reciprocate the thank you, and say keep up the great work in your communities.
Art for AIDS International at the ISU World Figure Skating Championship
As part of our dedication to connecting young people with their global community, a large part of Art for AIDS International’s work highlights the importance of being an active local citizen. That is why we are proud to participate in the 2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, taking place this week in our base city, London, Ontario, Canada.
This is the first time the City of London is playing host to the World Figure Skating Championships, and the tenth time a Canadian city has been chosen to host the competition since 1896. From March 11 to March 17, the 200 best athletes in figure skating representing 50 countries will compete in London’s Budweiser Gardens not only for world titles in four disciplines but also for spots in the Sochi Winter Olympic Games held in Russia in 2014.
To commemorate the 2013 World Championship, Art for AIDS International, in partnership with Tourism London, is giving each participating athlete a limited edition print created by First Nations students from the Northern Ontario communities of Moosonee and Moose Factory. In February 2013, Art for AIDS hosted workshops at schools in both communities, and the result was truly Canadian works of art that demonstrate the passion and potential of Canadian youth.
We are extremely grateful to the City of London and Tourism London for inviting Art for AIDS International to partner with them on such a momentous occasion. This collaboration represents our commitment to forging partnerships at the local, national, and international level, and gives us the opportunity to share our message with a global audience.
It also represents an exciting achievement for the young students of Moosonee and Moose Factory, whose talent will be the centre of attention when their work is put in the hands of some of the most famous figure skaters in the world. Without a doubt, the 2013 World Figure Skating Championships is a pivotal moment for everyone involved, and we are honoured to be a part of it.
Growing Up With Art for AIDS International
This post was written by Art for AIDS Workshop participant, and long-time volunteer Serena Merucci.
My journey with Art for AIDS International began when I was a fourteen-year-old grade eight student from Strathroy Community Christian School in 2006. Our art teacher contacted Art for AIDS in order to do a workshop for one of our art assignments. Our teacher told us about this organization the week before our workshop was scheduled and we were all quite intrigued as my classmates and I were never fully aware of the AIDS pandemic and how awful it truly is. I clearly remember coming in from recess the day of the scheduled workshop, sitting down at my desk and seeing this strange white-haired man standing at the front of our classroom with our art teacher. When we all quieted down, he introduced himself as Hendrikus Bervoets and began snapping his fingers in a steady rhythm.
“Every time I snap my fingers, someone, somewhere in the world dies from AIDS,” he said in a solemn voice.
We were shocked; there was a dead silence throughout the classroom for a good thirty seconds before Hendrikus starting talking again. He then proceeded to tell us about the AIDS pandemic in Africa and how Art for AIDS International’s mission was to help those affected by HIV and AIDS. After his short speech he told us about how we could help the cause by making collages and selling them in order to raise money for those who needed it most. We were all thrilled that we could actually help and the mood in the classroom changed significantly. Everyone became increasingly engaged. For the next two art classes, we had a great time making collages.
Pieces were then selected from our class’ work to be printed and then sold. We organized a small fundraiser in our school gym after the collages were printed so family members could come out and buy their children’s artwork.
At that point in time I was aspiring to be an artist, and for the first time in my life someone was buying my art. I was so thrilled by the idea that I was an actual artist now, as well as I was able to help people affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa by raising money for organizations that provided them with care and support.
Two years then past from my first encounter with Art for AIDS and I never forgot about them. When I was in grade ten at the London District Christian Secondary School, an announcement was made that Art for AIDS was coming to do a workshop at the high school and all who wanted to participate had to sign up. I was sick on the day of the announcement and when I got back to school a friend of mine, who was in the same grade eight class as me, told me about the workshop and I was thrilled. I asked my teacher if I could leave class to go sign up in for the workshop and I was devastated to learn that it was already full. I rushed to the office and begged to be allowed to participate. Luckily, our kind secretary somehow managed to squeeze me in and I am still forever grateful to her. I was able to participate in the workshop and I made new collages that were printed and sold in the new gallery space that Art for AIDS had recently opened. This was another boost for my artistic aspirations.
It was after this workshop in 2008 that I began volunteering for Art for AIDS. For the next two years, I volunteered regularly at the gallery on a weekly basis and helped run Art for AIDS booths at events and festivals.
I am now in my second year at Western University where I am completing my undergraduate Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Theory and Criticism.
The influence Art for AIDS has had on my life over the past seven years has been dramatic and profound.
Through this organization I have become more confident, not only as an artist, but as an individual as well. I credit Art for AIDS for helping me become the passionate and determined person I am today.
Special Offer: Get 20% Off All Prints Until March 1st!
This week we're excited to announce that we've added 50 new prints to our online store, and to celebrate, we're offering a 20% discount on all purchases from today until March 1st!
Our student-made collages are exhibited around the world, from secondary schools and university campuses to global conferences and recognized museums and galleries. With close to 100 different images available online, now is a great time to purchase hand-signed limited edition prints to hang on your wall or give to your family and friends.
How to claim the coupon:
- Visit our online store.
- Browse our collection of limited edition prints and add your favourites to the shopping cart.
- When you check out, make sure to type "NEWPRINTS" into the coupon box.
- Check out.
By purchasing a print, you'll be sharing Art for AIDS International's message and supporting the programmes we fund in Africa.
We'll add another 50 prints to the store in the coming weeks, so check our blog regularly for more updates. Until then, here's a peak at a few of the new additions to our online shop!
Thanks for your support!
The Great Moon Gathering
The following post was written by Art for AIDS Marketing and Communications Intern Robyn Bell.
This month, we were honoured to exhibit at the Great Moon Gathering in Moosonee, Ontario; an annual conference hosted by the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council and Omushkego Education to promote life-long learning opportunities for the Cree community and support cross-community collaboration. The conference brought together educators from the eight Omushkego Education Authorities and the surrounding communities to engage in professional development, and to share resources and ideas with one another. This year's theme was The Spirit Voice... Lessons from the Land.
Over the last few years, Art for AIDS has had the opportunity to host workshops with students in Moosonee and neighbouring Moose Factory, Ontario, which has resulted growing community dialogue about HIV and AIDS, as well as broader related issues, and in the creation of powerful works of art. At the Great Moon Gathering, we had the opportunity to share some of this work with the broader community and engage with other educators about the importance art plays in education. We also hosted new workshops with Delores D Echum Composite School in Moose Factory.
We are extremely grateful to have been invited to participate in the conference and share our work with others. Thank you to Irene Tomatuk, the Director Of Education at the Mushkegowuk Council, and Vic Linklater, the Great Moon Gathering Coordinator, for inviting us to attend the event. Thank you also to the students, teachers, and administrators at Delores D Echum Composite School for their support and fantastic participation. We'll be sharing their artwork online in the coming few weeks!
For more information on the Mushkegowuk Council, please visit: http://www.mushkegowuk.com/
Teacher Candidates Reflect On Their Art for AIDS Workshop
The following post was written by Art for AIDS Marketing and Communications Intern Robyn Bell.
On February 1st, Art for AIDS International hosted a workshop with teacher candidates as part of the Professional Learning Series at the University of Windsor, held during the Faculty of Education's 6th Annual Social Justice in Education Conference. The annual conference seeks to encourage students to reflect on the importance of social justice and equity in education. At the end of the workshop, participants had an opportunity to provide feedback on their experience. While we had a fantastic time hosting the workshop, the responses we received were truly heartwarming for our team to read.
This is what they had to say:
"Immensely Enjoyable workshop. I very much enjoyed the hands-on aspect of this workshop and Mr. Bervoets is visibly passionate about what he does. The explanation of the motive behind the workshops/organization was also presented well. It was a very encouraging environment and it doesn't matter if you're an 'artist' or not--I was very impressed by the caliber of work produced! I would definitely bring this workshop to future classes I may teach. Not only does it raise awareness of AIDS/Social Justice issues, it's also hella fun! A++, Would workshop again!"
- Brian Laine
"This Workshop was very useful and fun. Its nice to do an activity rather than just listen. The concept of using our art for a cause is great. I'm glad I came to this."
- Jenn Ducroix
"This workshop surprised me--I'm not sure if I read the description or not, but it is not what I expected. The Surprise was pleasant. I particularly enjoyed the message about turning your passion or talent into a tool for betterment and hope. The activity was great; A wonderful de-stressor after a hectic week! Thank you for coming and sharing your passion with us."
- Tia Papa
"I very much enjoyed this workshop because it was not just a lecture but a hands on experience. I will be taking and using this within my own classroom. Thank you."
- Anonymous
"Thank you very much, Hendrikus, for your dedication and the transmission of your passion. We learned a lot and we learned how to put our heart and compassion into the learning process. Keep up the good work. Good luck!"
- Alia Khalaf
Thank you to all of the participants, the Faculty of Education at University of Windsor for hosting the workshop, and Lisa Staley for all the great photos.
How to Make a Great Art for AIDS Collage in 5 Steps
The following post was written by Art for AIDS Marketing and Communications Intern Robyn Bell.
Throughout the year, we have the opportunity to exhibit some incredible artwork made by young people from around the world to help raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. There is one question that comes up frequently at our exhibits, however, that we thought we should address: How are they made? Since there are more people out there with the same question, we thought we would just show you.
Recently, we had the privilege of being welcomed into the Montessori Academy of London to host a series of workshops with grade seven and eight students. Art for AIDS International's Executive Director, Hendrikus Bervoets, led students through the creative collage-making process, encouraging independent and imaginative thinking, while discussing the impact of HIV and AIDS on communities around the world. Of course, the workshop also resulted in a new collection of artwork created entirely by the participating students. To show you how they did it, here is the 5 step process that students took to create some beautiful and powerful images:
1. Play
Students at the Montessori Academy started the collage making process by getting their hands dirty and playing with paint. These finger paintings are used as the background for their collages.
2. Tell a Story
After flipping through photos and magazines, students ripped out some of their favourite pages to use as either background pieces or story telling pieces. Some chose images of scenery featuring hot deserts, blue skies, or calm oceans, while others chose images of people or animals to tell their tales.
3. Tear it Up
Using inner artistic intuition, pieces were cut, torn, and ripped for the next layer of the collage. Background pieces could be torn or ripped, while story pieces were cut out using careful precision. Whether the students chose colour, symmetry, shape, texture or juxtaposition in their art, they were always encouraged to follow their gut instincts of what looked most personally appealing. The creative process remained entirely in their hands.
4. Glue it Down
In the final step, students layered their pieces using the textured finger paintings as a base. Background images were layered next, with the carefully cut storytelling pieces placed last, giving the final punch of colour and expression. All pieces were then glued down.
5. Show it Off
Give us a smile, they look great! Every finished piece from Montessori Academy was utterly unique. The final pieces boasted bold colours, engaging story pieces and interesting uses of juxtaposing images. Each collage will be produced as original machine-made limited edition prints to be signed and numbered. After the portfolios are complete, the artwork is exhibited and sold in schools, and throughout the local and global community at special events, in galleries and museums, at concerts, and online. Funds will then be used to support select initiatives directly that provide care and support for women and children affected by HIV and AIDS in some of the communities hardest hit by the pandemic throughout Africa.
These students all demonstrated a knack for the creative process and saw the beauty of being involved in the global response to HIV and AIDS. We had the fortune to be there while we watched each student beam at their artwork. Together, we were reminded the power of driving change through art.
Art for AIDS International would like to thank the Montessori Academy of London, students, teachers, and supervisors for hosting us. We're excited to share the final prints with you, and the broader community over the coming months!
Recognizing Humanitarianism at Home and Abroad
On a daily basis, stories about war, poverty, disease, and injustice dominate the news and can be easy to recognize in the community around us. Despite this, there are equally as many stories highlighting success at the individual, community, and global levels worth acknowledgment and celebration.
This week, in recognition of World Humanitarian Day, we would like to recognize the tireless work of the doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, and aid workers around the world, that every day overcome adversity and work improve people's lives. We would also like to thank the young people who contribute their vision of a better world through art in our workshops, the teachers who invite us into their school communities, and our own team of volunteers for their hard work and enthusiasm.
As we recognize World Humanitarian Day, let's each take up the simple call to do something good for someone else, as often as we can.
Learn more about World Humanitarian Day, or how you can get involved at: http://www.un.org/en/events/humanitarianday/