Bodyscapes artists members of the Elizabeth Taylor 50-Plus Network a program of SF AIDS Foundation. Back Row L-R: Jesse Crosslin, M.Grant Chapman, Sister used Carlotta aka Carlos, Steve Ibarra,Paul Aguilar, Dusty Araujo, Vince Crisostomo, ET 50-Plus Network Program Director–not a Bodyscapes Artist. Front Row L-R: Sam New, Diane Sciarretta, Edwin Marrero, and Michael Stokes

The closing event for Celebrating Resilience had a calmer energy. The audience was only 35 people -not the 90 person crowd that filled the room–to the MAX!– on the third floor of STRUT  on the night of our opening event, December 5. The shorter program allowed time for Vince Crisostomo, the Program Manager of SF AIDS Foundation’s Elizabeth Taylor 50- Plus Network, to say a few words.  

“In our twenties, one of my friends, told me that the greatest form of art was a life well lived.  You need to go into a process. You need to do things like Bodyscapes to tap into the material of your heart to give it image, words or sound. When we first introduced Bodyscapes people said they had never done it before. They were not artists. Maybe as a young kid someone said you were not talented or your work was awful. You put your crayons away and you never took them out again.  Bodyscapes was a way to get back into art to heal. I have been very happy with the project. Very happy working with Diane.” Continue reading →

Bodyscapes artists are members of The Elizabeth Taylor 50-Plus Network (ET 50+), a program of SF AIDS Foundation. Standing L-R: Jesse Crosslin, Dusty Araujo, Newton Butler, paul Aguilar, Giraffe, Sister Used Carlotta aka Carlos, Edwin Marrero, M.Grant Chapman, Vince Crisostomo, Program Director ET 50+; Seated L-R: Sam New, Antonietta Sciarretta (guest), Diane Sciarretta, Raoul Thomas and Steve Ibarra

Many of the artists were young people when they or their lovers were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. For over twenty-thirty years they have survived. Now, they live to tell younger members of the LGBTQIA+ communities what it is like to live past the AIDS epidemic. These long-term survivors have tremendous resilience and flexibility of mind and body. They are some of the LGBTQIA+ communities’ elders, the caretakers of valuable insights-deep and rich narratives full of subtlety and surprise.

The Red & Orange House Foundation produced CELEBRATING RESILIENCE with San Francisco AIDS Foundation Elizabeth Taylor 50-Plus Network (SFAF ET 50+), Wednesday, December 5, at STRUT, 470 Castro Street, third floor, 6-8:30 p.m. Poetry started promptly at 7 p.m.

Over 90 people attended the event!

Continue reading →

I am always incredibly relieved once the installation of the pastel drawings onto the walls is complete! Thanks for the help, Dusty A. from SF AIDS Foundation and my dear friends and Bodyscapes supporter, Jeff Sher.  TWO DAYS ‘Till OPENING NIGHT!

May Martin’s vitality and the colorful pastel drawings created by these 15 Bodyscapes artists heighten and animate your journey as LGBTQIA+ elders who LIVED, AGED, and FLOURISHED through and after the AIDS pandemic. 

A heartfelt thank you to the SF Aids Foundation Elizabeth Taylor 50-Plus Network!

Many of the artists were young people when they or their lovers were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. For over twenty — thirty years they have survived. Now, they live to tell younger members of the LGBTQIA+ communities’ what it is like to live past the epidemic, to thrive and to age. These long-term survivors have tremendous resilience and flexibility of mind and body. They are the LGBTQIA+ community’s elders, the caretakers of valuable insights – deep and rich narratives full of subtlety and surprise.

Newton Butler’s eloquently poetic insight, in search of an answer to the physical and symbolic pain of aging, is to call for “…childhood eyes Re-Born!”

Jesse Crosslin passionately articulates his lifelong quest to continue loving while living with HIV. “I am searching inside myself, deep inside my soul…once filled with the wonderful essence of our love…I’m healing…I’m going to love again”

Sister Used Carlotta, aka Carlos, identifies his secret of how to be happy after something bad happens. “Rejuvenation, Invigorates, Intoxicates….” leading to a new twist on his concept of self. “This is the new old me, the old new me.”