Amy Sadao, who has been the Acting Executive Director since February was appointed to a permanent position in May. Amy has a background in non-profit arts administration, academic and commercial fields. She is also an independent curator and writer. Amy holds a BFA from Cooper Union and a MA in Ethnic Studies from U.C. Berkeley. "Visual AIDS is a unique and important organization and it is an honor to continue working here. I look forward to working with more of the member artists. I am deeply impressed by the work in the Archive Project and look forward to helping member artists continue to produce their work and further their careers."

> top

Go Figure was exhibited at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center during the 7th Annual HIV/AIDS and the Arts Conference. Artists include: David Abbott, Peter Cherone, Derek Jackson, Luna Luis Ortiz, Christopher Trujillo, Patrick Webb, Frederick Weston. Frederick Weston also spoke at the conference. The overwhelming response to the exhibition may lead to further collaboration and exhibition opportunities at the LGBT Center.

> top

Brand New Look for Web

The Body has launched a great new redesign of the Visual AIDS Web site, thebody.com/visualaids. The new design enhances the artwork and is easier to navigate. Make sure to check out the June Web gallery curated by Julia Bryan-Wilson. There is also a link to Archive Member Web sites and a list of Resource links listed under "Membership." If you have a homepage, send us your URL and we will link up!

> top

Events & Benefits

Barbara's Birthday Bash was held in April. Barbara Hunt, Board Member and former Executive Director, held her birthday party at Pioneer Bar, where she asked all guests to donate to Visual AIDS, instead of bringing her presents! Thanks to all the archive members, volunteers, DJ, party-goers and Barbara Hunt!

A Big Hairy Deal was held at Pioneer Bar. The Hair and Beauty benefit was a smashing success. Hair stylists, make-up artists, body artists and others volunteered their talents for the benefit. Artwork images from Visual AIDS were projected and displayed on tables. The benefit was so popular it has been requested to become an annual event.

> top

Frank Moore

A tribute to Frank Moore (1953-2002) will be held Wednesday, June 19 from 6:00-8:00PM at the Drawing Center, 35 Wooster St., NYC. Please join us in this remembrance of Frank's work and life.

> top

Six Degrees of Separation

As many of you know, this has been a difficult year financially for Visual AIDS. With limited resources, the staff and Board of Directors are working to develop new sources of funding. We have over 250 Archive Members, and expect that "everybody knows somebody." Barton Benes identified a list of contacts earning over $600 already from an appeal letter. Frank Jump nominated Visual AIDS to be a recipient of a donation from his Pool League. All donations to Visual AIDS are tax-deductible and Archive Member artists are some of the best representatives of the vital importance of Visual AIDS. If you know people or organizations that might donate a little, or a lot, we can work with you to tailor a letter campaign. To keep up our services and programming, growing our funding base is essential. Your help can make this a reality!

> top