Tuesday, December 1, 2015

The AIDS Memorial Quilt in Lake Worth, Florida: A impressive exhibit you'll never forget

Here is a short video of the exhibit and what you can expect to see when you go:
The Post reporter Kevin Thompson has this article that will appear in the print edition some day soon. Gay, straight, whatever your personal views or beliefs this exhibit is impressive. You'll see quilts like these:
The quilts are memories of the deceased. Some you will remember and they're all personal and moving.
How big an impact did Freddie Mercury have on American culture? This one single video is up to 182 million views.
Here are two excerpts from the article in the Post:
     For the past ten years, the nonprofit Compass Community Center has displayed colorful panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt, a 54-ton, handmade tapestry that serves as a tribute to the more than 94,000 individuals who died from the disease — and to those who are prospering despite having it.
     The Nobel-Prize-nominated piece of folk art, created in 1987 by a group of strangers [emphasis added], will be on display Dec. 1-11 at the LGBT center on North Dixie Highway.
     “This quilt means something different to everyone,” said Ryanmarie Rice, Compass’ chief of staff. “It’s deeply personal and is hard to put into words.”
[and. . .]
     “You’re surrounded by the quilt,” Rice said. “It’s a full sensory experience.”
     As for the entire quilt, more than 48,000 individual 3-by-6-foot memorial panels have been sewn together by friends, lovers and family members. The quilt was initially displayed in October 1987 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. during the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, covering a space larger than a football field.
The Compass Center is located at 201 N. Dixie Hwy. in Lake Worth, directly across the street from the Publix downtown. Call 561-533-9699 or email for more information. No reservation is required. Just walk in the front door and the display room is to your right past the welcome desk. You won't regret making the choice to see this exhibit. The last day is December 11th.