SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- The 16th annual Art for AIDS auction will take place in San Francisco on Friday, September 14, 2012, 5:30–9:30pm in a new location and a larger venue - City View at Metreon (135 Fourth Street, SF) featuring more than 700 art lovers, collectors and party-goers and benefiting the UCSF Alliance Health Project (AHP).

Unifying emerging and established artists, art galleries and collectors, Art for AIDS, to many art world insiders, is San Francisco’s premier charity art auction. Vibrant art, delicious foods, fine wines, spirits and microbrews mix with delightful attendees – bringing the eclectic Northern California art community together to support Bay Area residents living with HIV/AIDS.

Art for AIDS originated 16-years ago when several local artists got together in a Noe Valley District kitchen and decided to sell their own art to help friends living with HIV/AIDS. Over the years, Art for AIDS has grown in both attendance and the quality and variety of the donated art offered to the highest bidders – bringing works by renowned artists such as Annie Leibowitz, Catherine Mackey, Jock Sturges, Pamela Merory Dernham, Paul Madonna, Rex Ray and Ross Bleckner, among others, including works donated by prominent Bay Area galleries and private collectors.

A distinguished panel forms this year’s Art for AIDS Jury, composed of Bay Area art critics, gallery owners, artists and collectors charged with reviewing and accepting as many as 150 works to be offered this September. (See Editor’s Notes below for a complete juror list.) The jury will meet through the summer nominating and ultimately selecting the fundraiser’s exciting “Live Auction” lots, expected to feature works by: Lucky Rapp, Jock Sturges, Robin Denevan, Sue Averell, Rex Ray, Martine Jardel, Michal Venera, Kristine Mays and others.

This year, gallery-quality works of art, including paintings, photography, mixed media, sculpture and video art will be presented in silent and live auctions, while guests enjoy gourmet food from fine Bay Area restaurants, with fine wines, and cocktails from Ketel One. The certificate auction features coveted offerings such as luxury getaways, dining at celebrated restaurants, Napa winery tours, and spa treatments.

Art for AIDS benefits UCSF’s Alliance Health Project (formerly known as the AIDS Health Project), serving the community for more than 27-years with free HIV testing, education, counseling, and mental health services. In that time AHP has counseled more than 240,000 people, trained more than 81,000 health professionals, educators and students. Funds raised at Art for AIDS support this important work.