4th Annual World AIDS Day South African Beaded Art Show

Open Arms of Minnesota has been delivering nutritious meals to people living with the HIV/AIDS virus since 1986. But when Executive Director Kevin Winge made a life-changing trip to Cape Town, South Africa, and witnessed first-hand what AIDS has done to a community already suffering from the multifaceted effects of abject poverty, he knew he wanted Open Arms to help. One of the ways that the organization is able to provide nutrition and basic medical care to the people of Cape Town is through a partnership with Monkeybiz, a nonprofit that provides over 450 township women with richly colored glass beads to make their own spectacular works of art. The women are paid fair wages for each piece they make, and since they work from home, they are able to be with their children. Now in its fourth year, these beaded pieces have already been a hit at London's Sotheby's and Donna Karan's flagship store in New York. Prices range from $5 to $600; all proceeds benefit Open Arms of Minnesota's HIV/AIDS programs in South Africa.
Sat., Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 2007