APRI Commemorates World AIDS Day 2020 With Art Exhibit

In honor of World AIDS Day on December 1, 2020, AIDS
Project Rhode Island will be showcasing the work of individuals living
with and affected by HIV in “Art Project Rhode Island.” This is a
community exhibition that will be on display at four locations around
Providence Dec. 1-20.

APRI asked participants to express themselves freely through visual art
as a way to acknowledge not only the impact HIV has had on so many lives
over the last 40 years, but also a tough year in which another pandemic
has challenged us. Artworks will be paired with panels from the AIDS
Quilt Rhode Island and on display in windows and spaces viewable by the
public at Project Weber Renew [1], Providence Public Library [2],
Trinity Repertory Company [3], and the Providence G [4].

“Art Project Rhode Island was a way for us to commemorate not only
World AIDS Day but also the end of APRI’s 35th anniversary, as well as
the resilient spirit of many people living with HIV during a year that
really has reminded us of some dark days,” APRI [5]Director Mikel
Wadewitz says. “Even though we can’t have all of the artists
together physically, we are so excited to be able to showcase their
creativity and to partner with the AIDS Quilt and make all of these
pieces available to the public.”

See more as of December 1st at www.aidsprojectri.org/art [6], which
features a full gallery of the artworks from all four locations. Some
artworks are also available for a donation, with proceeds going back to
the individual artists.

World AIDS Day, recognized every year on December 1, is a moment to
honor and remember those we have lost and to show support for the
millions of people around the world who are living with HIV/AIDS.
Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first global health day and it
remains a vital reminder of the work to be done to end the epidemic. In
honor of World AIDS Day, the Rhode Island Statehouse lights will be red
the evenings of Dec. 1-5.

Sponsors of this year’s World AIDS Day include the Rhode Island
Department of Health, Gilead, and Family Service of Rhode Island, with
special thanks to clients from APRI, AIDS Care Ocean State, as well as
AIDS Quilt RI and Community Care Alliance/Agape Center.

About APRI: _APRI is dedicated to providing a compassionate,
non-judgmental, and collaborative response to the needs of people living
with, affected by, and at risk for HIV. APRI currently provides the
largest number of support services in the state for individuals living
with HIV/AIDS, as well as comprehensive prevention and testing services.
APRI is a division of Family Service of Rhode Island. For more
information, please visit aidsprojectri.org.