Submitted by ANKORS
The AIDS Network Kootenay Outreach and Support Society (ANKORS), is hosting a 72-hour virtual art slam to raise awareness and funds to support people living with HIV/AIDS in the Kootenay/Boundary region.
The art slam will run from Sept. 8 to 10 and will raise funds for the ANKORS Foundation Fund. This fund aims to support the specific needs of people living with HIV/AIDS in the Kootenay/Boundary region, such as providing nutritional enhancement or supporting access to medical care.
Many local artists will be participating in the art slam, which is open to any and all sorts of artistic creators from poets to muralists, chefs, painters, photographers, musicians, sculptors, actors, dancers, videographers and more! Participating artists will be given a prompt and will then have 72 hours to create their piece of art. Photos and videos of the virtual art slam will be shared online through ANKORS’ social media and on the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/244206566654149/.
At the end of the slam, community members will vote for their favourite piece of art and the winner will be awarded with a prize! An online auction will run for two weeks following the art slam (from Sept. 11 to Sept. 24), in which community members will have the opportunity to bid for the artwork that was created during the slam. Part of the proceeds from this auction will go towards the participating artists, and the other part will be donated to the ANKORS Foundation Fund. More information about how to check out the artwork and bid in the online auction will be available on the event’s Facebook page.
On Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m., ANKORS will partner with The Royal in Nelson to host a documentary screening of “How to Survive a Plague.” This film tells the story of the early AIDS epidemic and the activists who pushed for action to combat it.
At this event, ANKORS will also share video footage and highlights from the art slam. Tickets for the screening will be available through The Royal’s website – please stay tuned for more information about booking a table to attend. ANKORS and The Royal are working together to ensure that COVID-19 protocols will be in place and respected for this in-person event. We look forward to seeing you there!
ANKORS acknowledges that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many local artists may be struggling at this time. This is an opportunity to come together as a community in celebration of the arts. In the context of this global pandemic, it is crucial to recognize the importance of continuing efforts to confront longstanding epidemics, such as that of HIV/AIDS.
For more information about the art slam, silent auction, or documentary screening, email Amelia at ankorsartslam@gmail.com or call 250-505-5506.