‘Artists Against AIDS’ Auction To Benefit Research

DANBURY — “Artists Against AIDS,” an auction of fine art and photographic prints to benefit AIDS research and Interfaith AIDS Ministry of Greater Danbury, Inc. (IAM) will be held Sunday, March 18, at The Colorado Brewery and Restaurant. DRC Publishing is coordinating the fund-raising event.

More than 50 area-based artists — including world renowned Michael Whelan, Bob Crofut, Janine Wesselmann, Bob Giusti, photographer John Kane and others — will be represented at the auction. Each artist is providing a creative work, which will be reproduced on DRC Publishing’s state-of-the-art IRIS 3047G ink jet printer, then offered for auction.

The prints created by the IRIS are extraordinarily accurate reproductions, and can be printed on canvas, watercolor paper, silk, or any number of other materials. For the benefit auction in March, the prints are being transferred from their original sources onto watercolor paper.

The auction will begin at 3 pm Sunday afternoon, and admission is free.

“We feel the auction is a perfect way to bring artistic inspiration to the community while supporting this very worthy cause,” said David R. Clark, the president of DRC Publishing.

“Our goal is to raise $25,000 for AIDS research and to assist Interfaith AIDS Ministry in its outstanding work helping individuals and families affected by HIV and AIDS,” Mr Clark continued. “We’re very proud to be part of this effort, which will showcase artists and photographers, bring outstanding museum quality fine art reproductions to the community, and provide direct assistance to people in need.”

Founded in 1989, Interfaith AIDS Ministry services have grown to include AIDS education and prevention, food pantry and nutritional guidance, support counseling, emergency financial assistance, in-home non-medical assistance, and brokerage to other assistance providers. The mission of IAM is to offer “unconditional physical and emotional support, along with a spiritual dimension to AIDS care,” said Fred L. Hammond, the executive director of IAM.

“We’re extremely excited about the ‘Artists Against AIDS’ benefit. The event and the funding will help us tremendously. It’s a real gift,” Mr Hammond said. Traditional sources of funding for IAM include the United Way of Northern Fairfield County, State of Connecticut Department of Public Health, City of Danbury, and several other grants along with individual donations.

IRIS reproductions are now prominently displayed in the collections of world class museums and galleries including, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Louvre, The Guggenheim Museum, and other institutions.