5th Annual Art Heals Festival

In observance of World AIDS Day, WhatsintheMirror presents our 5th Annual Arts Heals Festival including the 8th Annual BlaQ Awards. This three day multidisciplinary art festival will highlight social justice issues and advocate to eliminate HIV and mental health stigma through a healing justice framework starting December 6th, 2024 through December 8th, 2024. This year’s theme is “Community Gathering in a Community Garden”. This event is a part of the week-long observance of World AIDS Day 2024 in Austin TX.

The goals of the Art Heals Festival are to:

• Provide an inclusive and impactful platform that engages the community around social justice topics through artistic expression.
• Celebrate black and queer contributions to the art and social community in Austin
• Hold brave spaces for meaningful involvement of people living with HIV and/or mental healthconditions and all gender identities and body types.
• Acknowledge Persons Living with HIV and mental health conditions and honor lives lost while also addressing black women their intersection to the HIV epidemic.

The festival will also feature the following artists and more

• BlaQ Awards Ceremony honoring Ryan Thompson, Flembrick Wright, Sheira Gentle and others and discussion panel brought to you by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
• Featured Performances by Myke B.TheLabel and more.
• DJ sets from DJ CYSUM, Visual Art, and Stage Reading.

Day One Venue: INN Cahoots 1221 E. 6th Street, Austin TX

Day Two Venue: Beerburg Brewing 13476 Fitzhugh Rd, Austin TX (Shuttle Services Provided)

Day Three of the festival will be livestreamed and accessible through the Whatsinthemirror? website www.whatsinthemirror.org, Zoom, and Facebook..

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

Collaborators and sponsors include Kind Clinic, Pride In Black ATX, ASHwell Sexual Health and Wellness, HIV Planning Council, AVITA Ph*rm*cy, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Host or Publisher whatsinthemirror?