“Ignite Your Inner Artist”

Comprehensive Cancer Center Hosts 2011 ArtBLINK Gala

This winter, 19 Alabama artists participated in ArtBLINK Gala 2011, benefiting the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center. Top Alabama artists, many either cancer survivors or caregivers themselves, created a masterpiece in 90 minutes while ArtBLINK attendees watched, and the art was auctioned that evening by Guin Robinson and CBS 42’s Sherri Jackson. This year’s event, held at The Kirklin Clinic at UAB, raised more than $900,000.

“Ignite Your Inner Artist” was the theme for this year’s event, which featured artists Stephen Ardovino, Ahmad Austin, Xander Booker, Gary Chapman, Vicki Denaburg, Randy Gachet, Karen Graffeo, Lila Graves, Wyona Hamby, Bethanne Hill, Darius Hill, Joey Longoria, Fran Nagy, Nall, Amy Pleasant, John Pleasant, Linda Ellen Price, Ricky Trione, and Paul Ware.

Hosted by the Comprehensive Cancer Center Advisory Board, ArtBLINK supports cancer research and patient and family services. This year the gala honored three of the UAB Cancer Center’s most longstanding and loyal supporters who each passed away in 2010: Judith Todd Abrams, Rita C. Kimerling, and William M. Spencer III. Honorary chairs for this year’s gala were advisory board members Jean and Pat Sullivan.

ArtBLINK Gala 2011 was sponsored by Birmingham magazine, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, Burr & Forman LLP, EBSCO Industries Inc., Jefferson Iron & Metal Brokerage, The Thomas E. Jernigan Foundation, Medical Properties Trust, and UAB.

“We are extremely excited and proud of the success of this year’s ArtBLINK Gala,” says Edward Partridge, M.D., director of the Cancer Center. “We are so grateful to have the generous support of our community, which is truly a testament to the great work being done here at the Cancer Center.

Maintaining the Momentum / Summer 2011