Posted: December 4, 2002

Art Center Holds World AIDS Day Observance

Indianapolis--With a program titled "Bravery, Hope, Kindness," the Indianapolis Art Center in Broad Ripple was the scene of a World AIDS Day Observance on Saturday November 30. Several speakers and performers served a reminder that HIV/AIDS is very much still with us twenty years into the pandemic.

"We'll be here until this is over" stated Steve Everett of the Circle City HIV/AIDS Coalition, who along with Trinity Project arranged the program. The Trinity Project is a cultural arts program arranged by a coalition of 20 groups seeking to raise AIDS awareness.

The art center also displayed 10 panels from the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt along with artwork from local youth relating to HIV/AIDS. The quilt panels will remain on display through December 8.

The event featured a short reading from "Voices from the Heart" which debuted on Sunday at the Civic Theater, along with a stirring dance performance featuring Carol-Tharp Perrin and the Rhythms of Life Percussion and Dance Ensemble. Also performing were youth from the Martin Luther Kind Multi-Service Center, who presented a skit about youth and HIV/AIDS.

Paula French of the Trinity Project and Jonathan Swain, Chief Aide to First Lady Judy O'Bannon spoke of their trip with Mrs. O'Bannon to South Africa. Both were struck at how pervasive the disease in that country; "HIV is central to everything the happens in South Africa" stated French.

The afternoon finished with words from various local clergy, along with a candle lighting ceremony and reading of names by the Friends and Family Group of the Damien Center.