January 18, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Watching artists create their work in-person can be powerful and elegant. Imagine 11 well-known artists like Nall, Lonnie Holley and Amy Pleasant coming together in one place to create original works during a 90-minute session.
Witness “ArtBlink” hosted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Comprehensive Cancer Center Supporters Board.
ArtBlink is the centerpiece of the Cancer Center’s Gala 2008, set for Saturday, Feb. 16, at The Kirklin Clinic, 2000 6th Ave. South. Doors open at 7 p.m., the same hour artists begin their works. Guests can enjoy cocktail dining and live music by Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Cleve Eaton and the Alabama All Stars while the creative process unfolds. An art auction of works created on-site begins at 8:45 p.m.
Admission to the Gala is $150 per person and reservations are required. For information call the Cancer Center’s special events office at (205) 934-0034.
The complete list of participating artists is Nall, Vicki Denaburg, Randy Gachet, Carolyn Goldsmith, Karen Graffeo, Darius Hill, Lonnie Holley, Fran Nagy, Amy Pleasant, Ricky Trione and Paul Ware.
“We’ll transform the second floor of Kirklin’s lobby into a dazzling art studio and black-tie affair that showcases the work of these talented artists, all of whom have a strong connection to Alabama,” said Cancer Center Director Edward Partridge, M.D. “The Gala is a winter tradition and a great way to support cancer research and compassionate patient care.”This year the Supporters Board has set a goal of $800,000, which will go toward the UAB Cancer Center’s research in cancer and nutrition. Half the funds raised will be used to recruit a faculty member to lead the cancer nutrition program, 25 percent will go toward patient and family assistance, and 25 percent will go toward the Cancer Center Director’s Discretionary Fund, which will be used to fund high-priority areas.
One of those high-priority areas is obesity, a known risk factor for developing and dying from cancer, among other diseases. Alabama is among the most obese states in the nation, and the UAB Cancer Center is on the leading edge of research, treatment and education aimed at fighting the obesity epidemic and other lifestyle-related diseases.
Over the years, the supporters have raised more than $8 million for the Cancer Center, the only such center in the Deep South to meet the stringent criteria for “comprehensive” designation by the National Cancer Institute. These funds help equip cancer research laboratories, purchase new treatment instruments and recruit top experts to the Cancer Center.