Visual Aid: Keeping Art Alive

What do you get when you combine fine art and philanthropy? You have non-profit organizations like Visual Aid who have been reaching out to artists with life-threatening illnesses and helping them carry on their work as professional artists. It was founded in 1989 to help the Bay Area arts community which suffered a devastating blow by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The organization stepped in to provide assistance – both financial and emotional – to the artists affected by the disease and continue to do so today. They’ve expanded their mission to help not only artists impacted by HIV/AIDS but other illnesses as well, including cancer, hepatitis C and other serious diseases.

In November 2008, I covered Visual Aid's 15th Annual Big Deal Fundraiser for a piece I wrote, shot and produced for San Francisco IAM.com. More than 600 pieces of art were either sold or auctioned off at the fundraiser. What was amazing about this event, and other grassroots efforts like it, is the outpouring of community support. Artists donated the work for the sale and auction. Volunteers built the spaces where the art was displayed and also worked at the event from start to finish. Everyone involved was passionate about the cause.

In a world full of harsh realities, it’s heart-warming to know that people are still willing to dedicate themselves to improving the lives of others. My story went behind the scenes to show how volunteers and art enthusiasts made this event happen. Check it out and you can also visit Visual Aid’s website to learn more about their wonderful work.