More than 350 people attended the inaugural Art for Life Chicago, a juried art exhibition and live and silent auction that benefited those living with and vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. The auction includes work from both famous and established professionals to new and emerging artists, and selected by a jury of renowned art experts, including New York Magazine's Senior Art Critic Jerry Saltz and members of the Smithsonian's Art Team.
More than $75,000 were raised to benefit local organizations such as AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Howard Brown Health, Pediatric AIDS Chicago Prevention Initiative and Legal Council for Health Justice, and others.
The auction featured 110 pieces of art ( 104 silent-auction and six live-auction items ) from artists all around the country.
In its inaugural year, this event joined pre-existing Art For Life benefits around the United States and United Kingdom who use art to improve the lives of individuals affected by serious illness ( with Russell Simmons's Art For Life New York among the most notable ). Art For Life Chicago provides an opportunity to invest in culture while also raising vital funds to help those most impacted by HIV.
An extension of DIFFA ( Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS ), Art For Life Chicago is poised to be one of the organization's marquee programs, with the next event already scheduled for 2018.
For more information and to get involved, visit ArtForLifeChicago.org .
