Fast art for a good cause at ArtBLINK Gala at UAB

Eighteen accomplished Birmingham artists will create works of art in 90 minutes or less during the 35th annual ArtBLINK Gala, a major fundraiser for the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, which will be at The Kirklin Clinic on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 6:30-11 p.m., according to a UAB news release.

In addition to these artists, the event will feature a silent auction, artists gallery, a cocktail dinner from IZ Catering and dancing with live music from The Schmohawks.

Funds from the gala go toward the center’s Fund for Excellence, which supports high-priority research efforts, including launching young investigators in cancer research or recruiting new faculty.

“Community support is more vital than ever for the growth of the Cancer Center and its mission to reduce the burden of cancer in the state of Alabama,” said Dr. Barry Sleckman, director of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. “We live in an era when new targeted therapies are coming online rapidly, and it is critical to educate our entire community about the importance of being treated at a place where patients have access to the very latest therapies and clinical trials that can lead to durable cures of what were recently incurable diseases.”

The artists taking part in ArtBLINK will be Ahmad Austin, Melissa Payne Baker, Sally Waldrup Boyd, Gary Chapman, Joan Curtis, Vicki Denaburg, Lynthia Edwards, Thomas Andrew Findlay, Gina Hurry, Sarah Mason, Carrie Pittman, Linda Ellen Price, Michael Swann, Paul Ware, Sarah Soule Webb and Natalie Zoghby.

The O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB is one of only 50 centers designated by the National Cancer Institute.

It was also one of the first eight comprehensive cancer centers in America and has held this designation continuously for 45 years.

The 400 physicians and scientists at the center seek to improve cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, and have pioneered advances in chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and nutrition.

The center treats 20,000 patients annually, with an estimated 5,000 new patients each year, and reaches vulnerable populations through community outreach efforts.

Presenting sponsors of ArtBLINK are AutoTec, Regions Bank, Edwards Chevrolet and Protective Life Corporation.

The Kirklin Clinic is located at 2000 Sixth Ave. S., and valet service and deck parking are available.

Admission is $150 per person. To buy tickets or get more information, call 205- 934-1603 or go to artblink.org.