November 26, 2021

MCHD to host art exhibit to observe World AIDS Day

MOBILE, Ala. — World AIDS Day is observed December 1 each year. The day is an opportunity worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show support for people living with HIV, and commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day, newly recognized in 1988, was the first-ever global health day.

To help mark the occasion, the Mobile County Health Department is sponsoring a special experience that Wednesday at its Keeler Memorial Building (251 North Bayou Street in Mobile). The Scarlet Event Presents: ART Beat — A Therapeutic Art Experience in the lobby and courtyard from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tyrome “Ty” Tover, a peer counselor with MCHD and a contemporary expressionist painter, said local artist will have the opportunity to showcase their work during the gallery event. They can display up two pieces of art. Photos of items not on display will be featured on social media.

A native of Mobile, Tover’s colorful paintings pay homage to his life experiences and his emotions. His distinctive personal style and use of color permeates throughout his works. Most of his works display his fondness for use of acrylic paints over black canvas.

Tover has led a very interesting life saturated in the arts: from lead dancer, to choreographer, to local painter. Tover left Mobile early on in his life to seek culture in other communities. He spent more than a decade in Los Angeles where he served on numerous artistic boards, including the Disney Anaheim Museum.

His artwork has been shown in local exhibitions, including the most recent one by the Mobile Arts Council titled “A Celebration of Black Artists.” Tover’s work is currently featured on the Mobile Arts Council’s Virtual Art Gallery at https://mobilearts.org/virtualgallery/

Additionally, he had some of his artwork displayed during the LoDa Art Walk in February. The event celebrated black artists and their contributions to the art community.

The Scarlet Event has been a part of the World AIDS Day observation for many years in Mobile. It takes place to celebrate life for the ones affected by AIDS but who are still here laughing, loving, and living.

The World AIDS Day 2021 theme is “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic (EHE): Equitable Access, Everyone’s Voice.” The goal of EHE is to reduce new infections by 75 percent in the next five years and by 90 percent by 2030. To reach this goal, efforts will focus on five key strategies that together can end the HIV epidemic in the U.S.: diagnose, treat, prevent, respond, and engage the workforce.