San Marcos,
16
November
2015
|
15:52 PM
America/Los_Angeles

CSUSM Hosts AIDS Memorial Quilt, Nov. 20-Dec. 18, and World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil, Dec. 1

Media Advisory by Margaret Chantung and Ria Custodio

In honor of 2015 World AIDS Day, a section of the internationally celebrated AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on view at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) from Friday, Nov. 20 through Friday, Dec. 18 in the University Student Union on the third floor bridge. Viewing the quilt is open to the general public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The NAMES Project Foundation is the International organization that is the custodian of The AIDS Memorial Quilt. The AIDS Memorial Quilt began with a single three by six foot panel created in San Francisco in 1987. Today the quilt is composed of more than 48,000 panels, each commemorating the life of someone who has died of AIDS. These panels come from every state in the nation, every corner of the globe and they have been sewn by hundreds of thousands of people. The quilt is the largest piece of ongoing community art in the world. To date more than 15 million people have seen The AIDS Memorial Quilt at tens of thousands of displays throughout the world.

Also in honor of World AIDS Day, the University will hold A Quilt of Poetry: World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil” on Tuesday, December 1 at 6 pm in the USU Amphitheater. This event is open to the community and will feature readings by writers and poets from Cal State San Marcos and the University of California San Diego. Attendees will participate in a short candlelight procession in honor of those who are living with or have died from HIV/AIDS. The AIDS Memorial Quilt will also be on display for public viewing during this event.

“It is my hope that the viewing of the AIDS Memorial Quilt and our solemn candlelight event honoring the countless lives lost to the HIV/AIDS virus will touch the lives of students and the community,” expressed CSUSM School of Education Associate Professor Gilbert Valadez. “I hope we can educate students, honor those who have passed and shed light on the fact that there is still work to be done to eradicate HIV/AIDS all over the world. The world has lost countless individuals who could have—should have—been here to share their many talents. As someone who has lived with AIDS since 2002, I am deeply invested in the events surrounding World AIDS Day.”

Pre-purchased tickets are $10 for the general public. Children 12 and under are free. Reserve your tickets online. Parking for the candlelight vigil is free on the sixth floor of Parking Structure 1.

What: On-going public display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt and the event, World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil.

When: The AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Friday, Nov. 20 to Friday, Dec. 18. The World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.

Where: The AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display in the University Student Union on the third floor bridge. The World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil will take place in the University Student Union Amphitheatre.

Why: To honor those who are living with or have died from HIV/AIDS.

Additional for Media: Dr. Gilbert Valadez, associate professor of Teaching, Learning & Leadership, and Multiple Subject Program coordinator in the CSUSM School of Education, is available to speak to journalists. Valadez has lived with AIDS since 2002 and helped plan these special events.

Directions and Parking

CSUSM is located at 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road in San Marcos. Parking to view the AIDS Memorial Quilt is available in campus lots with fees depending upon length of stay. Parking for the World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil is complimentary in Parking Structure 1 on the sixth floor only. Parking Structure 1 is located at the corner of Campus Way and Campus View Drive. For more information or directions to the campus, visit http://www.csusm.edu/guide.