26th annual Arty Party a fun event for a serious cause

Birmingham AIDS Outreach will host its largest annual fundraiser, the 26th annual Arty Party art auction, at B&A Warehouse in Parkside on May 7 at 3 p.m.

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,” said Jamie Whitehurst, BAO development director. “Arty Party is fun.”

The event will feature about 250 pieces — including paintings, mixed media, sculpture, lawn art and jewelry — from more than 100 local and regional artists in a silent auction and about dozen more in a live auction.

Attendees can sample hors d’oeuvres and enjoy entertainment from Devyani Dance Company, a belly-dance troupe, and String Theory, an eclectic pop band that plays everything from Dave Brubeck to Radiohead.

Birmingham painter Trés Taylor — a longtime Arty Party supporter — is the featured artist, according to Whitehurst. Other artists include Paul Wilm, Frank Fleming, Chris Davis, Veronique Vanblaere and Darrell Ezekiel.

The auction serves as a reunion for BAO supporters, many of whom recall the horrific 1980s AIDS epidemic, according to Whitehurst.

“Longtime friends and acquaintances reunite and share stories, hugs and laughter,” he said. “This common thread of being affected by HIV/AIDS bonds us together in a very special way. “

Tickets are $50 and available online and at the door. Call 322-4197 or go tobirminghamaidsoutreach.org.