Panels from the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display at Wake Forest University March 26-31 at the Hanes Fine Art Gallery. Twenty-four sections of the quilt, including some that were created in memory of former Triad residents, will be shown in the gallery that is located in Scales Fine Arts Center.
The NAMES Project Foundation of Atlanta, which sponsors the AIDS Memorial Quilt, has collected more than 44,000 panels created by volunteers across the country. Each panel memorializes one person who died as a result of AIDS. More than 14 million people have viewed the foundation’s traveling panel displays.
The Wake Forest Gay-Straight Student Alliance (GSSA) is sponsoring the display with financial support from the university’s Student Government Association and The Adam Foundation of Winston-Salem. The display is part of the Year of Unity and Hope at Wake Forest.
“The AIDS epidemic has often been labeled a gay and lesbian disease, but GSSA is bringing the AIDS Memorial Quilt here to acknowledge the need for all communities to recognize the importance of AIDS prevention,” said Jason Browne, a university senior and the president of GSSA. “Everyone, especially the college population, needs reminding that all it takes is one irresponsible act to contract this disease.”
An opening reception will be held for the display on March 27 from 7-9 p.m. in the Charlotte and Philip Hanes Gallery. The Triad Pride Men’s Chorus will perform at this free event that is open to the public.
“A lot of people have been touched by AIDS in some way,” Browne said. “If they haven’t already, they eventually will be. This display will provide a very touching, visual memorial, and will hopefully raise awareness that this disease hasn’t gone away.”
An Internet station set up in the Hanes Gallery will allow visitors to view other AIDS Memorial Quilt panels at the official Web site: www.aidsquilt.org. GSSA will also invite visitors to record their thoughts and feelings on a signature panel set up in the gallery that will go on permanent display at Wake Forest at the end of the exhibit.
The AIDS Memorial Quilt display will be open during regular Hanes Gallery hours – weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 1-5 p.m. Admission is free.
For more information, call the Hanes Gallery at 336-758-5585.
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