Charter Oak Commemorates World AIDS Day

An event happening on Dec. 1 at Charter Oak Cultural Center, 21 Charter Oak Ave. in Hartford, will be both an exhibit and an “art action.”

“Without You” commemorates World AIDS Day. Anyone in the community — not just people whose lives have been affected by AIDS, but anyone concerned about AIDS — can come to the center between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., grab a blank panel and turn it into a work of art. Then participants can hang their artworks on the walls and enjoy the constantly growing exhibit. A public reception will begin at 6 p.m.

“The AIDS epidemic has left huge holes in many communities, so we wanted to work with the idea of empty space, blank spaces,” said Cody Daigle-Orians, a spokesman for the center. “By inviting people to fill in those spaces with their memories, with their advice, with their stories, we can hopefully engage the community to think more deeply about the epidemic and connect with others in the making of art.”

The event also will include screenings of taped interviews on the subject of AIDS, as well as news reports and short films inspired by AIDS issues.

Glastonbury artist Kim Sobel, who exhibited her mural “Cut” at the center earlier this year, will reassemble the piece in honor of this event. Another art piece, by Middletown artist Pierre Sylvain and students in the center’s Youth Art Institute, will be shown, too.

Admission is free to participate and come to the reception. charteroakcenter.org.