Miami Beach Community Health Center, a federally qualified health center and respected not-for-profit comprehensive health care network established in 1977, will pay tribute to World AIDS Day on Dec. 1 with the fourth installment of its thought-provoking “Through the Eyes of Love” juried art exhibition and AIDS Memorial Quilt Opening ceremony. This spotlight on HIV/AIDS is vital as 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV infection, 1 in 5 are unaware of their infection and approximately 50,000 Americans are becoming infected with HIV each year.*
Miami Beach Community Health Center’s Through the Eyes of Love art exhibition will feature select works of art by esteemed artist Barry Gross, who discovers images that visually provide us with positive experiences dealing with the outer world of mankind and the movement inward toward the spirit. Gross, who recently opened his own gallery in Fort Lauderdale, is a recognized artist with past exhibitions in leading galleries throughout the country, including Ceasarea Gallery in Boca Raton, Florida; Brooklyn Museum in Brooklyn, New York and The Atlanta History Center in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as works in the Hartsfield International Airport and many private collections.
The art exhibition, symbolizing the depth of local artists’ thoughts and feelings as it relates to HIV/AIDS, will also include a diverse display of paintings, drawings and sculptures by other area artists including Alejandro Cuadra, Ali Miranda, Janet Muller, Noah Jones, Jonathan Brooks, Marco Gonzalez and more. Select artists will receive cash prizes for their work. In addition, there will be a red ribbon inspired fashion collection created by students from the Miami International University of Art and Design.
The admission-free showing will be held at Miami International University of Art & Design, 1501 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. The opening reception will be held on Tuesday, November 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and then continue daily through Friday, Dec. 2 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
On Dec. 1 at 9 a.m., Miami Beach Community Health Center will also host an open-to-the public commemorative AIDS Memorial Quilt Display Opening Ceremony at its South Beach location, 710 Alton Road. In conjunction with the NAMES Project Foundation, this event will bring together a host of other HIV/AIDS related organizations and supporters to recognize those who have lost the battle against AIDS over the years. Select quilt panels will be on display.