Family, friends and fans came together as a community to support Erik Sosa's "ap[ART]" fundraiser at Chicago's National Museum of Mexican Art on Jan. 24.
Wayne Johnson of NBC made an appearance for the live auction. Sosa donated four paintings from his 2015 collection to be displayed and then auctioned for three non-profits—Museum of Mexican Art's Yollocalli Arts Initiative, AIDS Foundation of Chicago and UNICEF—as well as NBC.
"Without lines, there is no direction. Without color, there is no emotion. Composition breathes life," Sosa noted.
Sosa exhibited 30 pieces from his 2014 collection to be sold as well and all proceeds from the event are to be distributed evenly between the three beneficiaries.
"I wanted to do something special and big," expressed Sosa, to celebrate his 40th birthday as well as a decade as an artist and philanthropist.
Sosa is a local artist who has been recognized for his work on a national level. He was awarded the VOX/out Emerging Voices of Style and Design in 2005 which honors openly gay and lesbian whose works exemplify particular artistic standards. Since, Sosa has hosted fundraisers in both Chicago and Milwaukee to benefit local non-profits. Ap[ART] is Sosa's latest touring art show.
"This show, for me, is really a labor of love," said Sosa.
His previous philanthropic endeavors have benefited the Victor C. Neumann Association, Vital Bridges, the Spanish Coalition of Jobs and Heartland Alliance, among others.
Sosa's partner, his two children and his mother all joined to support the show. Family and guests alike were invited to complimentary food and wine from the 75th Street Inn and coffee from Artesano Coffee Roasters.
