OAKLAND, Calif. - (Business Wire) The Flowers Heritage Foundation announced today that more than 11 high schools are participating in its third annual high school art competition, “Don’t Turn Your Back On AIDS”, to raise awareness about the impact HIV/AIDS continues to have on young and disadvantaged communities.
High school students throughout the Bay Area participate in the competition each year, serving as peer educators and public health ambassadors in their schools. Winners of the competition will be honored with an exhibition and awards reception at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco during World AIDS Weekend on November 29, 2008 from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm.
“This event provides an interactive environment where high school students learn important information regarding HIV risks and prevention in the classroom from AIDS experts,” explains Gregory Edwards, Executive Director of the Flowers Heritage Foundation. “This gives students an opportunity to artistically interpret their views and express themselves under their art teachers’ instruction. Consequently, their awareness is increased about contracting HIV and their risk behaviors are reduced.”
Last year, the program engaged 240 talented artists from Bay Area high schools. They created sculptures, paintings, drawings, textile works and photographs around the theme – “Don’t Turn Your Back on AIDS.”
The public is invited to view and bid on the artwork with the proceeds going to support the Foundation’s many public health programs. For more information please call Mark Winter at 510.587.2662 or go to www.flowersheritagefoundation.org.
THE FLOWERS HERITAGE FOUNDATION
The Flowers Heritage Foundation (FHF) is a non-profit organization 501(c)(3) dedicated to providing solutions for public health issues affecting the underserved and improving the lives of the most fragile among us. Our current priority is to make a significant difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS. We allocate 100% of donor dollars to help improve and/or save the lives of the medically indigent through our programs. We educate and increase awareness around HIV/AIDS as a public health dilemma. The annual art competition is a FHF program.
NOTE TO REPORTERS/EDITORS
B-roll footage of HIV/AIDS education for this program is available upon request.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Many young people do not know the basic facts about HIV risk and prevention.
- Nearly 37% of all persons living with AIDS in California are between the ages of 13 and 29.
- A large number of young people participate in unprotected, multiple partnered, unsafe sexual activity, and lack critical information regarding the spread of HIV.
For Flowers Heritage Foundation
Gregory Edwards, 510-587-2662
Executive Director
Tom Loker, 925-708-1153
Board Member
