Never Walk Alone
Art by young people living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya
ART 180, in partnership with Sunburst Projects, presents an exhibition spotlighting visual art made by young people with HIV/AIDS living in Kisumu, Kenya.
Since 2010, Sunburst Projects has worked in Kenya to train young adults living with HIV/AIDS as peer leaders to run youth support groups, community recreational activities, provide HIV/AIDS prevention education in the schools, and provide mentorship that ensures HIV positive youth remain in care and treatment. The youth in this program expressed themselves through art as a way to communicate who they are regardless of their HIV/AIDS status.
ART 180 will host an opening reception for the Never Walk Alone exhibition, with a special art activity for the youth in Kenya, on Friday, November 7 from 6-9 p.m. This reception is family friendly and open to the public. The show will be on display at Atlas, ART 180’s art center for teens, through November 26. Atlas is located at 114 W. Marshall St. in Jackson Ward and is open Monday through Friday from 10-5 p.m.
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ABOUT ART 180
ART 180 gives young people in challenging circumstances the chance to express themselves through art, and to share their stories with others. Since 1998, the nonprofit organization has worked with youth in the Richmond area to create art that explains and illustrates their feelings, thoughts, and experiences. Partnering with other organizations that serve young people, ART 180 designs projects that allow for self-expression, and creates venues for this expression in the community. The name reflects their vision of turning lives and communities around 180 degrees. ART 180 also operates Atlas, an art center for teens and gallery space for young people in Jackson Ward.
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