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:

Nadia, Robyn, Francine-our lovely volunteers
Nadia, Robyn, Francine-our lovely volunteers
Jess and Becky
Jess and Becky, helping with ticket sales.

 

Some fabulous guests.
Some fabulous guests.

 

Kevin, one of our performers.
Kevin, one of our performers.

 

 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. 


Art for AIDS International at the ISU World Figure Skating Championship

prints

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.

 

 


The Great Moon Gathering


The following post was written by Art for AIDS Marketing and Communications Intern Robyn Bell.


Moosonee 2

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/


Art for AIDS International Recognized for Community Innovation [VIDEO]

This past week, Art for AIDS International won the Community Innovation Award at the 2012 Pillar Nonprofit Network Community Innovation Awards.

The award, which was presented at the London Convention Centre in front of over 600 community members, was accepted by Art for AIDS Executive Director, Hendrikus Bervoets.

"On behalf of all of us at Art for AIDS, I am humbled and honoured to receive this recognition" said Bervoets. "Our organization grew out of an initiative aimed at encouraging young people in London to take part in the global response to HIV and AIDS. The passion and enthusiasm that these young people, and the broader London community have shown for our work, however, has been a driving force for us to expand beyond our own backyard and into schools and communities around the world."

In addition to Hendrikus' presence at the event, a number of Art for AIDS Board Members were also in attendance.

"I have been a Board member of Art for AIDS for over 5 years and during this time been extremely impressed with the innovative and collaborative nature of the organization which is aimed at providing education, advocacy and support for those affected by HIV and AIDS throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Hendrikus provides passion and energy in every workshop and encounter he has and helped to elevate the issue of HIV and AIDS throughout our community" said Andrew Chunilall, Director of Finance for the London Community Foundation, and Treasurer of the Board of Directors at Art for AIDS International.

All of us at Art for AIDS are honoured to receive the recognition, and would like to thank Pillar Nonprofit Network and the London community for their ongoing support, and for the enthusiasm they've shown for our work.

You can see all the photos from the Community Innovation Awards on the Pillar Nonprofit Network Facebook page. You can also watch the short video presented by Pillar at the ceremony below:


Art for AIDS International Exhibits at the Apartheid Museum

In 2009, Art for AIDS International was privileged to host a four month exhibit at the landmark Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, South Africa. This week, and three years later, we are excited to announce that the Apartheid Museum will be opening a new exhibit, featuring artwork produced during Art for AIDS workshops held throughout South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Canada.

While Art for AIDS workshops seek to educate young people about HIV and AIDS, interconnected themes related to social justice, equality, respect, and responsibility play important roles in our discussion with students, and this is often represented in the artwork they produce. This work, as a result, is a perfect addition to the Apartheid Museum's permanent exhibit which focuses on diverse themes related to democracy, equality, reconciliation, diversity, responsibility, respect and freedom.

The exhibit will run into the new year and all exhibited prints will be available for purchase in the Apartheid Museum gift shop with proceeds supporting local projects benefiting women and children affected by HIV and AIDS. For more information about this exhibit, please contact us.


About the Apartheid Museum

The Apartheid Museum opened in 2001 and is acknowledged as the pre-eminent museum in the world dealing with 20th century South Africa, at the heart of which is the apartheid story.


Sharing Knowledge, Sharing Innovation: North Star and Art for AIDS Exhibit in Rome

Last week, Art for AIDS International opened a large exhibit in collaboration with North Star Alliance and the World Food Programme at the Second Annual Global Agriknowledge Share Fair in Rome - hosted at the headquarters of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a UN agency responsible for combating rural hunger and poverty in developing countries.

The exhibit, which featured the recently launched North Star Alliance / Art for AIDS International portfolio, presented a large selection of artwork produced by truck drivers, sex workers, and young people from Harare and Beitbridge Zimbabwe, made during a recent workshop series hosted by Hendrikus Bervoets, Founder and Executive Director of Art for AIDS International.

The goal of this exhibit was to raise awareness about the impact of HIV and STIs on mobile populations, and on their direct and indirect contacts across Africa. Further, the exhibit highlighted tremendous initiatives by North Star Alliance and the World Food Programme which address these issues.

"While Art for AIDS International has traditionally worked with young people, we realized it was important to recognize hidden links in the transmission of HIV in Africa", explained Hendrikus.

Truck drivers, and the communities surrounding transport hubs, have traditionally lacked access to health care and information, and as a result, have been disproportionately affected by HIV and other diseases.

"By teaming up with North Star Alliance, an international not-for-profit organization that provides health care to mobile populations and communities surrounding borders and truck stops, we were able to adapt the Art for AIDS workshop model to bring important information, and hopefully a fun experience, to two communities heavily affected by these issues".

The exhibit, which ran from 26-29 September, was well received with many people stopping by to purchase prints - the proceeds of which will support both Art for AIDS International and North Star Alliance projects in southern Africa.

We would like to thank IFAD, the World Food Programme, and North Star Alliance for their support.

Over the next few weeks Art for AIDS International, and North Star Alliance will scheduling a series of exhibits to further feature this exciting project. Stay tuned for more details.


The Biggest of Thank-You's

The following article was written by Alex Kruger, Art for AIDS International Student Intern!

Art for AIDS International Cookies
Delicious Art for AIDS Cookies donated by Colie Cakes

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who came out to our event on March 27th: the "Art for AIDS International Exhibit: Showcasing UWO Talent". The night was an overwhelming success and saw an amazing turnout. The cupcakes and cookies provided by Colie Cakes were both beautiful and delicious, the music performed by Graham Nicholas, Alanna Gurr, and Sam Allen was spectacular, and the art was inspiring. Thank to you all the contributors who made the night happen, especially Art for AIDS International’s amazing volunteers—without them the night would not have run as smoothly as it did. So, to everyone, a big thank you! Read more


Art for AIDS International Exhibit: Showcasing UWO's Talent

The following post was written by Alex Kruger, Student Intern at Art for AIDS International.

Poster UWO Art ExhibitArt for AIDS International is excited to present an Art for AIDS International Exhibit: Showcasing UWO’s Talent!

On February 5th, 2010, a group of students from the University of Western Ontario (UWO) took part in a day-long workshop with Hendrikus Bervoets, Executive Director of Art for AIDS International. The artwork they created was both passionate and engaging.

Please join us on Sunday, March 27th, from 7PM-10PM to celebrate their beautiful art. Keeping in tune with the local theme, local musicians, Alanna Gurr, Sam Allen, and Graham Nicholas will be performing. Baked goodies are also being donated from up-and-coming baker, Colie Cakes. (Mmmm.) Read more


Art for AIDS International exhibits at Stephen Lewis talk

Art for AIDS Founder Hendrikus Bervoets and Volunteers Jess, Brittany, and Kate at "An Evening with Stephen Lewis"

Stephen Lewis spoke to a full ballroom at the London Hilton Hotel on Wednesday evening. Presented by the Monsignor Feeney Foundation, Lewis’s speech was focused on the Millennium goals, specifically global and local poverty and the position of women worldwide. Lewis spoke with ease and elegance and praised the work and mission of the Monsignor Feeney Foundation. Despite having to endure an increase in security at the door, those who attended the event were captivated by Lewis and welcomed him on stage with a standing ovation.  The controversial lead up to Lewis’s visit had received much attention in local news; however, the controversy was forgettable as another standing ovation and prolonged applause concluded the evening.

Art for AIDS International was pleased to be the sole exhibitor at the event. Conveniently located adjacent to the bar, Art for AIDS International’s exhibit attracted an excess of observers, future partners and buyers. Volunteers Brittany Coulter, Jess McKeen and Kate Hoad-Reddick were on site to promote Art for AIDS International and help sell and package purchased pieces. Founder and Executive Director, Hendrikus Bervoets, was pleased with the attention Art for AIDS International received as well as the money garnered. 90% of Art for AIDS International’s proceeds go directly to grassroots projects that help women and children affected by AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.

Art for AIDS International would like to thanks Stephen Lewis, the Monsignor Feeney Foundation, the London Hilton and all of the individuals who visited our exhibit and purchased a piece of art.


Art for AIDS International has a permanent gallery located at 242 Dundas St. in London. If you are interested in purchasing a piece of art, browsing the gallery or paying us a visit, please do not hesitate to come by.


Stephen Lewis comes to London

On February 16th join Art for AIDS International at an evening with Stephen Lewis presented by The Monsignor Feeney Foundation presents.  Art of AIDS International is excited to be exhibiting a large selection of artwork at this event and we strongly encourage everyone in the area to attend, not only for the beautiful exhibition but to witness one of the most passionate and thought-provoking public speakers, Stephen Lewis, who is without a doubt one of Canada's foremost advocates for people living with HIV and AIDS.


Details:

Where: Hilton Hotel- 300 King St. London, ON

When: Wednesday February 16, 2011

Cocktails at 6pm

Presentation at 7pm

Cost: Tickets $45 each

For more information or tickets please call 519-652-3033 or visit: The Monsignor Feeney Foundation.
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