Art in the City Returns June 28th

By Robin Gibson

In its 10th year, Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s Ryan White Wellness Center and Mitchell Hill Gallery are partnering once again for Art in the City this time at Redux Contemporary Art Center. Taking place Friday, June 28th, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., proceeds will benefit the Ryan White Wellness Center, the only one-stop-shop for low-to-no cost HIV and STI care in the tri-county area. The event's popularity in past years prompted the need for a larger venue.

Guests can expect an auction of one-of-a-kind artwork and raffle items, live performances, music by DJ Trevor D, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and are encouraged to wear summer white.

Up for grabs are donated paintings, jewelry, artisan crafts, photography prints and more. Silent auction highlights include a trip for two to Asheville with hotel, food, wine tasting, a tour of the Biltmore, as well as a private dinner party for up to 10 guests by Master Chef Season 8 Contestant and local artist, Jennifer Williams. Participating artists include Fallon Pepper, J.K. Crum, Lisa Shimko, Susan Irish, Harley Richards and more. 

Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased online. Admission includes five raffle tickets, appetizers and an open bar.

With National HIV Testing Day happening the day before, The Ryan White Wellness Center plans to honor it by partnering with Greater Than AIDS and Walgreens for free HIV testing at the Walgreens King Street location.

Artist Susan Irish is donating two pieces, including a collaboration with artist Nicolás Lyford-Pike, who lives with deafness and autism. The piece was specially created for the 10th anniversary Art in the City event, combining Summer Solstice star diagrams made by Nicolás and labeled in Latin.

“Having a piece of Nicolás’ art in a Ryan White Wellness Center event makes sense to me because both young men are superheroes,” said Susan Irish, Charleston aritst of Fabulon Art Gallery. “Ryan White was a sweet, loving boy that I hope the world never forgets. Nicolás is a daily affirmation that each person has a purpose and a value. Tour the Ryan White Wellness Center and you’ll see that this place is what good healthcare should look like and what the power of a positive attitude can do for a person.”

The Ryan White Wellness Center is a non-profit sexual health organization devoted to wellness, education and advocacy with operational support from Roper St Francis Healthcare. It is the only one-stop-shop in the area for clinical and supportive services for those who are HIV positive and/or at-risk. All services are free to those who qualify. The organization’s vision is to foster an HIV-free generation through quality care, case management, prevention, outreach and advocacy.