On April 17, the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland will present one of the region's most anticipated fund-raising events, its annual ArtCares party. Conceived in 2003 by the Cleveland Institute of Art, ArtCares was born out of awareness of the devastating impact AIDS has had on the world of art.
"The art world lost an entire generation of young, vibrant, creative and often brilliant artists in the 1980s and 1990s because of the unrelenting brutality of the AIDS epidemic," says Earl Pike, CEO of the AIDS Taskforce. He calls it "a time of small and cascading horrors," to which artists responded with their creative passion. "Whatever art was lost was replaced by art that attempted to defy disease and death, and give us all reasons to live."
Accordingly, the centerpiece of ArtCares is the live auction of art, all of which is donated by artists living in, or with a connection to, northeast Ohio. The live auction features original paintings, drawings, prints and more; a silent auction will feature work donated by students of the Cleveland Institute of Art, who compete for a $1,000 prize for best student work. "It's as much a happening as it is a fund-raiser," says Earl Pike, executive director of the AIDS Taskforce. "People love the event itself."
Last year, ArtCares raised more than $40,000. These funds help provide individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS with access to services such as counseling and case management; provide educational programs for at-risk youth and adults; and operate a food pantry providing much-needed help to those experiencing illness and poverty.
The ArtCares event begins at 6 pm with a VIP reception; the main reception and auction goes from 7 - 10 pm. This year's event features food by Marigold Catering, martinis by Twist Social Club and music by DJ MisterBradleyP. Tickets are $100/VIP and $50/general admission. The venue is Saigon Plaza, located at 5400 Detroit Avenue in Cleveland. For more information, click here.
