Colorado State University to Host Display of AIDS Memorial Quilt

Note to Reporters: Photos of the AIDS Memorial Quilt are available with the news release at http://www.news.colostate.edu.

The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt has more than names stitched into its miles of fabric. In many cases, it is the only permanent memorial families and friends of AIDS victims can turn to for comfort.

A 20-panel section of the quilt – the largest community art project in the world – will be on display at Colorado State University’s Lory Student Center from Nov. 27-30. The display coincides with the observation of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1.

“This is the first time the quilt has been on display at CSU in more than a decade,” said Shauna DeLuca, assistant director of international initiatives for CSU’s office of International Programs. “This is a rare opportunity for the community to see a national treasure.”

The idea for the quilt was conceived in 1985 in San Francisco. Since the first panels were assembled by volunteers, 48,000 individual quilts measuring 3 feet by 6 feet have been created.

The panels come from every state and more than 25 countries. The quilt, which last was displayed in its entirety in 1996 on the National Mall in Washington D.C., includes 94,000 names and measures 1.3 million square feet. Viewing the entire quilt – spending just one minute per panel – would take 33 days.

All events are free and open to the public. A candlelight vigil will commemorate World AIDS Day at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 29. The event will include speakers and a private viewing of the quilt for participants.

The display schedule in the Lory Student Center’s East Ballroom:

Nov. 27 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Nov. 28 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Nov. 29 – 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 27 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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