Play Smart Werrrqshop

Partnering with Werrrqshop, Visual AIDS hosted a Play Smart packing event with Quito Ziegler and Ethan Shoshan at the Joan Mitchell Foundation, Education & Research Center. Artist, Rebecca Levi joined in on the fun by presenting a hands-on workshop on on basic embroidery techniques, easily stichable into almost any fabric. Kristen Lovell, HIV Testing Coordinator at Metropolitan Community Church of New York Charities, also facilitated a discussion from about how HIV affects the lives of youth and transient communities.

Play Smart is a part of Visual AIDS' Print+ Edition series and are available in bulk (at the cost of shipping and handling) for free distribution—while supplies last. Contact afialho@visualaids.orgto place an order.

Inspired by the exhibition Queer Threads, Play Smart V is curated and designed by John Chaich and features original artwork by Ben Cuevas, Rebecca Levi, Charles Long, Maria Piñeres, L.J. Roberts and Nathan Vincent. Play Smart trading cards are an honest and straightforward approach to promote harm reduction, HIV testing, pre and post exposure prophylaxis and raise awareness around HIV/AIDS. Play Smart features fun, sexy and creative trading cards, packaged with clothing patches, condoms and lube. The back of each trading card features information to help you play smart. Learn more: Play Smart.

Werrrqshop is a weekly art salon that meets Friday for political discussions over crafts, drag making, sign-making for demos, last-minute accessories, painting, drawing, hot glue insanity, etc. This is a new program intended to provide support for queer young people (ages 16–28) who are surviving NYC's shelter systems. It is also an art hub for queer movement-building, offering supplies and resources for demos or other socially-minded projects. If you are into crafting, drag, visual arts, or just need a safe space to come together, relax, and build a sympathetic community—please join us!