15 Years of Inspiring Change

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Art for AIDS International is excited to share that we have entered our 15th year as a charitable organization. Through education and encouragement in workshops spanning across 11 countries, over 15 000 students have taken part to make a positive and creative impact in the global response to HIV and AIDS through art.

Since 2001, over $1 million has been raised to support women and children affected by HIV and AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. In honour of this milestone and in celebration of all the special moments, we will be posting a selection of the favourite collages from the past 15 years.

Thank you to all those that have supported us over the years, and made these milestones possible. We look forward to many more.


Exhibit Showcasing Works from Local London Students

It is with great pleasure and excitement that we introduce our new exhibit showcasing the artwork created by students at Lester B. Pearson School for the Arts.

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The exhibit displaying their unique pieces will be going on from December 8th, 2015- January 15th, 2016, on our second floor gallery at One London Place.

Below are some samples of the work produced by the students.

 

We hope to see many of you there!


Exciting New Collection from South Africa: Exhibit Coming Soon

We are very happy to share with you some samples of the beautiful  new pieces of art work that were produced earlier this month in South Africa.  Art for AIDS International thanks the staff and students at Seeds of Light Orphanage, Shobianya High School, Buffelshoek High SchoolLowveld Academy, Southern Cross School, New Dawn Arts Centre and all who participated in the Train the Trainer workshop in Acornhoek.

You can see for yourself the talent and passion for art in these young participants.   Art for AIDS International plans to return to South Africa in the near future for an exhibit of this impressive body of work.  There will be an exhibit in Canada as well in late November.  We hope to see many of you there.


Celebrating 15 Years of Art for AIDS International

15years_smallAs we prepare to celebrate our fifteenth anniversary in September, Art for AIDS International is pleased to announce an upcoming retrospective exhibit at Satellite Project Space in London, Ontario.

This exhibit will showcase some of the best images that have been created by youth from around the world during our student workshops.

Our goal with these workshops is to educate people about HIV and AIDS and encourage them to play an active and creative role. While it was not always easy, our dedication to engaging and educating people to get creative over the past fifteen years represents our commitment to the global AIDS response.

We would like to thank everyone that has been a part of our organization for the past fifteen years. Almost on a daily basis we receive heartening endorsements from those that we have worked with about what we do.

To honour the inspiring students we have had the pleasure of working with, we are very pleased to showcase a reflective exhibit featuring some of the most powerful pieces of art work produced during our past workshops since 2001.

Exhibit viewings will run Monday through Friday from 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm for the entire month of August.

Satellite Project Space is located at 121 Dundas Street, London, Ontario.

Gallery View


As seen in London Free Press May 2015

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ENTERTAINMENT LOCAL
ON THE CANVAS: South African Secondary School Workshop Exhibit, presented in partnership between Art for AIDS International and University of Johannesburg’s Department of Community Engagement
Artwork sales assist AIDS education

By Joe Belanger, The London Free Press
Monday, May 4, 2015 7:17:40 EDT PM
This work by South African secondary school student Siyanda Kondleka is part of a new exhibition opening in the gallery of Art for AIDS International at One London Place Friday and continuing until May 27.
This work by South African secondary school student Siyanda Kondleka is part of a new exhibition opening in the gallery of Art for AIDS International at One London Place Friday and continuing until May 27.

A London-based aid agency is hosting a new art exhibition of works by South African secondary school students.

Arts for AIDS International’s Hendrikus Bervoets was in South Africa recently to lead an art workshop in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg’s department of community engagement and returned with works that will be sold to help fund the organization’s mandate of educating people about HIV and AIDS.

“This gallery displays the talent of various secondary students, representing works that have been created in a supportive environment as a way for students to contribute, share and express their own personal stories with others in their own communities and beyond,” said Bervoets.

The works are being sold — $30 for unframed works, $80 framed — as a fundraiser for the London-based organization to increase awareness about AIDS.

Art for AIDS International has worked with more than 15,000 young people in 10 countries since 2001 with the goal of educating people about HIV and AIDS through art.

Funds are raised by hosting workshops and selling prints, which allows the organization to continue reaching out to young people around the world.

Art for AIDS International also supports “select initiatives” that6 provide care and support directly to women and children affected by HIV and AIDS in some of the communities hardest hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa.

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IF YOU GO

What: South African Secondary School Workshop Exhibit, presented in partnership between Art for AIDS International and University of Johannesburg’s Department of Community Engagement.

Where: One London Place, 2nd floor gallery, 255 Queens Ave.

When: Friday through May 27.


Give a Gift with Meaning

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With holidays and gift-giving occasions fast approaching, please keep in mind that a beautiful piece of art work from our collection is a wonderful way to remember special people in your life. Not only would they receive a lovely print, but they would know that the money spent supports our work as we raise awareness and give young people a voice in their response to the HIV and AIDS pandemic, as well as other social justice issues affecting the world around us.


Volunteering at Art for AIDS International

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As Father's Day weekend approaches, we at Art for AIDS International count our blessings for the presence of loving and supportive fathers and the role that they play in our North American society.  In Africa, it is not always the case.  We are working hard to make a difference in the lives of children orphaned through HIV/AIDS.  If you are interested in helping us in our efforts, we can be contacted through our website or also through our new profile at www.getvolunteering.ca.

 


Volunteer Positions Available

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We are excited about some upcoming events that will be happening locally.  There is also a plan to visit Africa again in the near future.  With this in mind, Art for AIDS International is open to new volunteers joining our efforts in order to make it a very effective and exciting summer!  Please do contact us if you or someone you know would like to work with us and help make a difference.  We are interested in local volunteers to work in London, Ontario at this time.  Thank you for your continued support.

 


Newest Works from Botswana

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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.


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.