The Names Project, AIDS Memorial Quilt @ OMSI

January 5 - February 19

Free & Open to all Ages

Venue Information

Auditorium | In the Museum

1945 SE Water Ave.

Portland, OR 97214

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible

CAP & the Aging Well Program are proud to partner with OMSI to exhibit 12 panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt from January 5 - February 19. With personal dedications to more than 110,000 people who have died of HIV and AIDS, it's considered the largest community art project in history and has been growing since its inception in 1985. We invite you to join us for this moving and powerful exhibit as we honor and reflect on 40 years of CAP.

ABOUT THE QUILT

The AIDS Memorial Quilt was conceived in 1985 by human rights activist Cleve Jones as a way of memorializing those who had died of AIDS, helping others understand the devastating impact of the disease, and documenting the many lives he feared history would forget. The first panel was created by Jones in memory of his friend Marvin Feldman.

Today, the AIDS Memorial Quilt is an epic 54-ton tapestry that includes nearly 50,000 panels dedicated to more than 110,000 individuals. It is the premiere symbol of the AIDS pandemic, a living memorial to a generation lost to AIDS, and an important HIV prevention education tool. With hundreds of thousands of people contributing their talents to making the memorial panels, the Quilt is considered the largest community arts project in history.

Storytelling and Science

As we have recently experienced, science communication, information sharing, and awareness building are crucial in combating pandemics and creating a healthier society for all. Community storytelling projects and art pieces like the Quilt are powerful tools of communication and education. By centering human stories and personalizing historic events, they can help drive scientific and medical advancements and even help us better understand current science. 

Given the nature of the content within the AIDS Memorial Quilt, it is up to parents, guardians or school staff to decide whether this exhibit is appropriate for the children in their care.

Explore the Quilt

Through a 20-year partnership with AIDS Quilt Touch, the Quilt can be seen in its entirety and the panels made in honor of loved ones seen online as part of the Interactive AIDS Quilt so millions of people around the world can experience its powerful stories.

Blocks on exhibit at OMSI: 0847, 1913, 2210, 3207, 3494, 4185, 5788, 5797, 5809, 5976, 6014, and 6032.

Get Involved

We honor all those lost to HIV & AIDS. We recognize & uplift those those still surviving with HIV & AIDS. And we continue to provide critical health, housing, & wellness services to ensure that each person in our community has the tools and resources they need. It’s not over: the fight against HIV & AIDS transmission continues. Consider making a gift to support our critical work at www.capnw.org/donate. You can also get involved as a volunteer at one of our many service locations or attend one our events like the CAP Art Auction!

Learn more about the Quilt on the National AIDS Memorial site, and find out how you can support their work so the lessons of the AIDS pandemic can be taught to future generations.

About Cascade AIDS Project

Founded in 1983 and incorporated in 1985 as the Cascade AIDS Project, CAP is the oldest and largest community-based provider of HIV services, housing, education and advocacy in Oregon and Southwest Washington. We promote well-being and advance equity by providing inclusive health and wellness services for LGBTQ+ people, people affected by HIV, and all those seeking compassionate care. When the need for affordable, accessible, and culturally affirming primary care services was identified as a community need, we responded by opening Prism Health in 2017. And it 2022, Our House of Portland joined the CAP family to further expand our service offerings and allow us to offer a full lifecycle of care to our community. To learn more about CAP, please visit www.capnw.org