Art for AIDS Auction Exceeds Expectations

The 16th annual Art for AIDS auction brought in more than $200,000 on Friday, September 14, 2012 in San Francisco with 700 art lovers assembled in support of the UCSF Alliance Health Project (formerly AIDS Health Project) and San Franciscans living with HIV and AIDS at the City View above the Metreon. Enthusiastic bids were realized for original works of art donated by artists, galleries and collectors and offered in both silent and live auctions.

Among the evening’s top-selling lots sold during the Live Auction session were: Pier Module #16, a collage, acrylic and oil on wood panel by Catherine Mackey which exceeded its pre-auction expectation to sell for $3,600.  Bidder competition also pushed the price for an oil on canvas painting by Martine Jardel.  Her abstract Site #67 sold for $1,200.  That same price was paid for Brian McDonald’s whimsical acrylic and collage on wood panel titled Blow and Go.

Eric Zener’s Treading Water, Series VII, a photograph on gold leaf, was of interest to the assembled art collectors — with bidding opening at $800, the work sold for $2,200.  An image used as the auction catalog’s cover shot, Ken Probst’s black & white photograph (pictured above) Tattooed Twins, brought in a top bid of $3,300.

Alliance Health Project Director Lori Thoemmes said, “This year, we have renamed our organization and expanded our focus to provide mental health services to the broader LGBTQ community, and moved Art for AIDS to a new and larger venue.  We’re thrilled to have filled the room with gorgeous art and both new and continuing supporters – resulting in one of the best Art for AIDS auctions ever.”  In an email thanking the AHP staff for another successful event, Thoemmes commented, “AHP is you. The integrity, poise and intelligence on display each day you come to work is on public display the night of the event and all the activities necessary leading up to it. It is such a privilege to be part of this organization.”

Art for AIDS originated 16-years ago when several local artists got together in a Noe Valley kitchen and decided to sell their own art to help support friends living with HIV/AIDS.  The event has grown over the years and now benefits UCSF’s Alliance Health Project (formerly the AIDS Health Project), serving the community for more than 27-years with free HIV testing, education, counseling, and mental health services. In that time AHP has counseled more than 240,000 people, trained more than 81,000 health professionals, educators and students.  Funds raised at Art for AIDS support this important work.

Please visit: www.ucsf-ahp.org for more information about the Alliance Health Project. The ART for AIDS 2012 online catalog is at ArtforAIDS.org.