First Exhibit a Success
On Friday, April 25, Art for AIDS International was fortunate to be invited by UNIFOR to its Ontario Regional Council meeting. We were exhibiting for the first time, our newest works from Botswana and South Africa. The response was very good overall. It was an excellent opportunity to meet some new people and introduce them to our organization's message of hope.
Art for AIDS International would like to thank UNIFOR for this invitation and for the partnership.
Newest Works from Botswana
Tomorrow, April 25, 2014, we will be exhibiting at UNIFOR's Ontario Regional Council meeting in Port Elgin, Ontario. Art for AIDS International is excited to show off some of the very best works produced from our most recent workshops held at high schools and universities in South Africa and Botswana in February and March of this year.
Art for AIDS International is very happy to be associated with UNIFOR. Many thanks to them for the opportunity to be a part of this event.
FRAMED: FASHION IS ART
The following post was written by Madeline Marmor, student intern at Art for AIDS International.
On March 21, 2014, Art for AIDS International was honoured as the beneficiary for the fifth annual Richard Ivey School of Business, “Ivey Professional Communications Club” Charity Fashion Show, “FRAMED: FASHION IS ART”. The two hour event, which ran from 8 pm-10 pm, was held at the Barking Frog Social Pub in downtown London, Ontario and was attended by Western University students, community members and Art for AIDS staff and Executive Director, Hendrikus Bervoets.
Erica Aversa, Artistic Director of the show, was asked her reasoning for choosing Art for AIDS International as the beneficiary. Her response reflected on how both fashion and art communicate a story based upon what people see. She wanted the aesthetic to reflect this in making the audience view the clothing or the piece of artwork within its communicative role – what story does it tell?
She also explained the importance of choosing a local charity that affects those on a global scale. Using Art for AIDS International as a stimulant to viewers to open their minds to what they were watching, she hoped their audience would be inspired by the local to global scale.
Art for AIDS International artworks were displayed throughout the venue on event day in addition to the Art for AIDS International gallery being used as the location for the shows ‘look book’ photo shoot. You can see some of the images here.
The event was a success in attendance, awareness and funding raised. We would like to thank Erica and all others involved for their hard work and a wonderful event.
Global Health Symposium at UWO
The following post was written by Madeline Marmor, student intern at Art for AIDS International.
On Sunday January 19, Art for AIDS International was honoured at Western University’s Rotoract Club’s first annual Global Health Symposium. The event was held in the Mustang Lounge and chose Art for AIDS International as their charitable organization to receive the funds raised from the event.
The symposium was a gathering of health professionals, academics and students to share and reflect on the health practices, trends and inequalities that are emerging on both the local and global level. Along with Hendrikus Bervoets, Executive Director of Art for AIDS International, there were two other key-note speakers. Dr. Amit Bagga, nephrologist and professor at Windsor University, spoke about his interest in the prevention of chronic kidney disease and overseas work. Dr. Abe Oudshroon discussed his interests of community-based care with people experiencing homelessness. He stressed action on the local level for global impact, explaining how it possible to do both.
The networking session at the end of the event was a hit where guests were able to connect with local healthcare groups in London. Those present were Crazy About Mental Health, Western Heads East, Alphabet Community Center, Horco, Compassion in Jesus’ name, Dale Brain Injury Services, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Librarians Without Borders, Life Path Global Alliance.
In his talk, Hendrikus explained how Art for AIDS International has made a difference in global healthcare. By sharing his experiences hosting workshops in diferent parts of the world, including Sub-Saharan Africa as well as Canada and its First Nations communities, he explained the importance of global mental health. Mental and physical health cannot exist without each other.
The education component of our workshops, which we have hosted in schools in ten different countries, includes the message of how lack of self respect is far-reaching and is key in many social issues, including the devastating spread of HIV and AIDS.
In the end, our Executive Director pointed out that we all need to think globally. We need to care. Everyone can volunteer, no matter where they are coming from. Each unique situation and viewpoint contributes to what is the global community. The importance of volunteerism was mentioned by all three speakers at this symposium.
In all, a wonderful event. Art for AIDS International would like to thank the Western University’s Rotaract Club for the honour and financial support of the event.
Soweto Update brings the real world home
The following post was written by Madeline Marmor, student intern at Art for AIDS International.
This weekend, Henrikus Bervoets, our Founder and Executive Director, received a sobering email call from Soweto from a dear friend.
The friend was a scholarship student who Art for AIDS International has had an ongoing relationship with. As a former workshop participant, our friend had become a scholarship student in hopes of attending university. Although she was unable to attend University for numerous reasons, she was still able to upgrade her education using Art for AIDS International funding.
A passionate youthful personality, our friend created numerous pieces in workshops with Hendrikus, later becoming a volunteer for the charity on future trips to Soweto. Among the six pieces she created, two are on the Apartheid Museum poster in our London gallery.
The phone call shared the sad news that our friend's brother has committed suicide after finding out he was HIV positive last Saturday. He had not told anyone about the result, taking his own life alone with this information.
This tragedy speaks to the social stigma HIV and AIDS still has in Africa with those diagnosed feeling burdened by the shame of being sick. This psyche needs to be combated with the knowledge that there is always someone who cares and that there is always someone to talk to.
The more workshops we do, the better chances are for this to happen less. If this person was part of a workshop, we could have fostered the confidence and self-respect to be able to talk to someone.
We at Art for AIDS International believe workshops can actually save people’s lives. In fact, we have seen it. Her brother’s death is motivation for us to keep putting effort towards organizing workshops, knowing the benefit they will bring.
One step forward in this will be our ‘Train the Trainers’ program. These are newly formed workshops, where Art for AIDS International will train young, unemployed university graduates in parts of Africa where we have already held workshops to run our programs under the auspices of our organization, independent of London’s actual presence. In this way, soon we will be able to organize workshops in the hundreds rather than in the twenty’s.
Our friend’s email not only relayed this sad news but it also acted as a renewed call to action for all of us at Art for AIDS International to keep working towards helping women and children affected by HIV and AIDS.
I Was Never Taught This Dance - We're All Getting Older!
The following post was written by Madeline Marmor, student intern at Art for AIDS International.
On February 6th, Art for AIDS International was invited to speak and showcase artwork at ‘I Was Never Taught This Dance – We’re All Getting Older!’, an Exclusive Professional Women’s Recognition event put on by CIBC Wood Gundy and the Mancinelli Financial Group at the London Hunt Club.
The event was attended by over 100 professional women and focused on key issues of aging, touching on mental, financial, and legal health. Debbie Gilbert, a certified Professional Consultant on Aging in private practice, was the keynote speaker and discussed different strategies for empowerment while growing older.
Our Founder and Executive Director, Hendrikus Bervoets was honoured as the second speaker of the event. He gave a brief speech about our workshops and the art created by the participants, informing the audience about how they have affected change in fighting HIV and AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa.
After the speeches, attendees were able to view our artwork exhibited in the foyer. Many were interested in the charity and our Executive Director was able to give a more detailed explanation of what Art for AIDS International is and does. At the end of the day, many pieces of artwork were sold, which we are all very happy about.
We would like to thank the CIBC Wood Gundy and Mancinelli Financial Group for the opportunity to share our message.
Elton John
The following post was written by Madeline Marmor, student intern at Art for AIDS International.
On February 3rd, Arts for Aids International was part of welcoming Sir Elton John to Budweiser Garden Arena for his sold out concert.
Art for Aids International had the honour of selecting two piece art to offer the musician in recognition of the role he, and the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF), have played in the global fight against HIV and AIDS.
EJAF works on the international level to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS through innovative HIV prevention programs, efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, and direct treatment, care, and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. Along with sharing similar missions, both Arts for Aids International and EJAF work on the grassroots level with those affected by HIV and AIDS through workshops and community-based programming and events.
Sponsors for the donated works of art included Joe Fontana, Mayor of London; John Winston, Tourism London; EllisDon and Budweiser Gardens.
The first print was of Nelson Mandela entitled ‘What If’, by South African artist Jonathan Comerford and is part our international portfolio (contact us for purchase). The second print was of a collage created by Lester B. Pearson student Breanna Nkiwani, and is part of our student portfolio.
Together with Global Spectrum, Live Nation Canada, and Don Donner the pieces were given to Sir John. We were told that Sir John really liked the artwork selected.
We would like to thank all those involved for this lovely partnership.
From the Grand Opening of the New Art for AIDS International Gallery [PHOTOS]
Art for AIDS has a new home! Recently, we were proud to officially open our new Head Office and Gallery in One London Place, London Ontario. To celebrate we hosted an open house and welcomed members of the community to pay us a visit and to see some of the stunning artwork produced by young people from around the world in its new setting.
The event was generously sponsored by architects Tillmann Ruth Robinson, Sifton Properties, Moffatt & Powell RONA, the Canadian Auto Workers union (CAW), and Andy Spriet. We would also like to thank our food and beverage sponsors, Ponte Wine and Spirits, Steam Whistle Brewing, and Fare Catering for providing food and beverages for the event.
If you weren't able to join us in London for our grand opening, here are a few photographs courtesy of Dave Chidley from the event. For upcoming events, you can also visit our Events and Exhibits page.
Art for AIDS Grand Opening Photos
View more photos from our new Gallery in Art for AIDS International has a New Home.
Event Sponsors
We would like to recognize and thank the following organizations and individuals for their support in sponsoring our Grand Opening celebration.
Photos courtesy of Dave Chidley
An Evening At Toronto's Ritz-Carlton for Art for AIDS
Recently, we were proud to host "An Evening At the Ritz", an exhibit and fundraiser at Toronto's Residence at the Ritz-Carlton. The event featured a new collection of artwork made by young people from across Canada and Tanzania exhibited in the Ritz's beautiful Sky Lobby alongside black and white photography by award-winning photojournalist Dave Chidley, taken during recent Art for AIDS International workshops in Tanzania.
The event was generously sponsored by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association (OECTA) and the Canadian Auto Workers union (CAW). We'd like to thank both organizations for their ongoing support and leadership in the community. We would also like to thank our food and beverage sponsors, Ponte Wine and Spirits, Steam Whistle Brewing, and Fare Catering for providing food and beverages for the event, which were enjoyed by over 100 visitors throughout the evening.
Finally, the event would not have been a success without each of our guests who came to learn more about the impact that HIV and AIDS is having in our community and in communities across Africa, and about the work that Art for AIDS International is doing to help stop the spread of HIV through art and education. As a result of your support and enthusiasm, the event raised over $10,000. These funds will help us continue to engage young people across Canada and abroad in our educational workshops, and will benefit directly our partner organizations in Africa, who provide care and support services to women and children affected by HIV and AIDS in their communities.
If you weren't able to join us in Toronto, here are a few of the photos taken by Dave Chidley during the event.
Event Sponsors
About OETCA
OECTA is a teachers’ association that represents 45,000 professional women and men who teach all grades in publicly funded English Catholic schools in Ontario. Through support from OECTA, Art for AIDS International has brought important educational programming to young people from across Ontario and to school communities in East Africa.
About CAW
The Canadian Auto Workers union is one of the largest private sector unions in the country with approximately 193,000 members from coast to coast to coast. CAW has been a close friend and partner of Art for AIDS International since we began working with Canadian youth to raise awareness about the impact of HIV and AIDS in their own community and in communities around the world.
To learn more about upcoming Art for AIDS International events in your community, visit our Events and Exhibits page. You can also contact us if you'd like to learn more about hosting an event or exhibit in your community.
Welcome To The New Art For AIDS International Website
Dear Friends,
I am excited to welcome you to the new, mobile-friendly, Art for AIDS International website. Over the last few weeks, our volunteers have worked hard to find new ways to share our story with all of you online, along with some of the incredible works of art made by young people during Art for AIDS workshops. In addition to creating more space to share our photographs and blog posts, we've made it easier than ever to browse, share, and purchase Art for AIDS artwork - all in support of programmes that benefit women and children affected by HIV and AIDS in some of the communities most affected by the epidemic.
[box type="alert" icon="none"]In recognition of our new website, we're offering free shipping on our prints throughout the month of May. Type "NEWSITE" in the "Apply Coupon" field of your shopping cart before you checkout.[/box]
We'll be adding more new prints to our online Gallery and Shop and some exciting features that are still in the works. If you have any suggestions for other new features or information you'd like to see on our site, please don't hesitate to contact us.
I would like to offer my thanks and appreciation to our visitors for taking the time to learn more about what we are doing to engage young people in the global response to AIDS though education and the arts.
Sincerely,
Hendrikus Bervoets
Executive Director
Art for AIDS International
Photo Courtesy of Dave Chidley