Arty Party fundraiser draws big crowd to B&A Warehouse

Birmingham AIDS Outreach hosted its largest annual fundraiser, the 26th annual Arty Party art auction, at B&A Warehouse in Parkside on Sunday afternoon, May 7.

And the event was a roaring success, according to Jamie Whitehurst, development director for BAO.

There were nearly 400 attendees, 150 artists and about 340 artworks available in live and silent auctions at the event, according to Whitehurst.

“It’s an amazing turnout,” Whitehurst told Iron City Ink. “It’s the largest we've had, and it's the largest amount of art we’ve had, and this is the event’s 26th year.”

Proceeds will help BAO, a nonprofit founded in 1985, continue providing a variety of free services, including HIV testing, prevention and education.

But despite the event’s serious purpose, “it’s not a quiet, ‘uptight’ art auction,” Whitehurst, told Iron City Ink recently. “Arty Party is fun.”

The art works included paintings, mixed media, sculpture, lawn art and jewelry from 100 local and regional artists.

Birmingham painter Trés Taylor — a longtime Arty Party supporter — was the featured artist.

B&A Warehouse provided plenty of hors d’oeuvres and deserts for attendees.

String Theory, an eclectic pop band, and Devyani Dance Company, a belly-dance troupe, provided the entertainment.

For more information about BAO, go to birminghamaidsoutreach.org.