Living Room, San Francisco, 1986

The AIDS Memorial Quilt began in San Francisco in 1986 as a way to remember those who died from a mysterious and frightening new disease. A group of friends, including prominent AIDS activist Cleve Jones, gathered in Nancy Pelosi’s living room and began to stitch the beginnings of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Soon people from around the country sent Jones their own panels, and the project grew to become the largest community-based art project in the world.

Living Room, San Francisco, 1986 will recreate the early days of the quilt, while also bringing in work from contemporary artists (Dr. Cynthia Davis, Aubrey Longley-Cook, Robert Sherer, Joey Terrill) who address issues of HIV/AIDS and its legacy. This exhibit will be an immersive celebration of art as community activism.