Beaches, Bars, Socials, Events and More!
BEHIV’s 5th Annual Exhibition of Artwork – Opens November 19
“Resilience”
BEHIV’s 5th Annual Exhibition of Artwork
from Art Therapy Clients and Supportive Artists
Better Existence with HIV (BEHIV ) will host its fifth annual exhibition of artwork created by clients in its Art Therapy program, as well as supportive community artists, at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, from November 19 through January 4.
The exhibition will be preceded by a fundraising reception on November 19,
from 6:00-7:30pm, in the Center’s Irving Harris Family Foundation Reception Hall.
Tickets to the reception can be purchased on BEHIV’s website
The exhibition itself is free to the public.
Art Therapy helps people explore issues related to HIV/AIDS, assisting them in coping with a range of emotions. Permission to create and learning to respect one’s own creations are cornerstones of the program. Verbal expression has its limitations, but acquiring a visual language offers powerful energy for change and healing. Most of BEHIV’s clients have no formal art training, but their ability to work through difficult emotional issues through their art helps them lead more productive, healthier lives.
In the past, Art Therapy was funded by federal Ryan White CARE Act funds, but Art Therapy funding has been eliminated from that program. BEHIV is committed to continuing the beneficial service and hosts the exhibition and reception annually to support the program, with reception proceeds and art sales benefiting the program.
Sponsors of the 2010 exhibition (to date) include BestGayChicago.com, Boi Magazine, Canon Solutions, Center on Halsted, Chicago Department of Public Health, ChicagoPride.com, GRAB Magazine, MTMChicago.com, Northwest Speech and Hearing Center, Tibotec Therapeutics.
BEHIV annually educates more than 5,000 young people throughout Chicagoland about how to protect themselves, because HIV increasingly affects our youth houses more than 190 men, women and children impacted by HIV, who might otherwise be homeless
delivers case management, mental health counseling, art therapy and massage therapy services to more than 300 adults who need a lifeline to supportive services provides approximately 1,000 free HIV and sexually transmitted infection tests to our most vulnerable populations.
