New Artists Portal @ National AIDS Memorial

from San Francisco Bay Times - November 29, 2019

S A N F R A N C I S C O

BAY TIMES

**Artist Portal at the National AIDS Memorial**
Photo by JP Lor

Artists Portal Added to the National AIDS Memorial

The National AIDS Memorial was conceived by a small group of San Franciscans, moved by the devastating AIDS crisis, as a living memorial to all people touched by AIDS. As our nation’s only federally-designated memorial to AIDS, the memorial holds the responsibility to tell the stories of the epidemic, the stories of prejudice, stigma and discrimination; the stories of love, compassion and the eloquence of a community’s response.

In choosing the long-ignored and neglected 10- acre de Laveaga Dell in Golden Gate Park, the founders, along with hundreds of volunteers, turned a forgotten and sidelined tract into an intimate, expansive memorial with national and international recognition. It was a deeply heartfelt desire to respond, to take action, to bring light to dark days.

Another story has now taken root.Dr. Tim Seelig Envisions Artists Portal

In 2011, Dr. Tim Seelig, the then new artistic director of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, reached out to me and together we walked the National AIDS Memorial. Anyone who knows Tim knows that he is a visionary and is deeply passionate about his work and his community. During that walk, Tim spoke of the immeasurable loss that impacted the vast arts communities across the nation in the early days and ensuing years of the epidemic. It is a loss that remains in individual and collective grief and memory.

He talked about the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, who lost so many men that they christened a “Fifth Section,” in memoriam to the now over three-hundred voices who were silenced by AIDS. Tim talked of the chorus’ desire to honor and remember these artists, and all artists, in a more solid and tangible way. As we walked between the light and shadows of the memorial it became very clear that this vision was so necessary for not only San Francisco, but also for our nation. Artists give joy, inspiration and hope, and impart truth, ideas and societal change.

Over the last seven years, a group of dedicated individuals continued to meet to discuss and hone the vision to create such a space. What was lost on Broadway, in Hollywood, in the fashion world, and within the galleries, halls, cafes and stages of every community will never be wholly known, but the lives of some of the most creative and vibrant souls must never be forgotten. In 2017, the National

AIDS Memorial completed a memorial circle to honor the national Hemophilia community, who lost half of its population tragically as a result of the contaminated blood supply. The team found inspiration in this to realize the dream that Tim had shared on that walk in 2011.

Transforming the Dream into Reality

Visitors to the new Artists Portal, located at the western end of the memorial, perched on the crest of a hill and tucked under towering native oak trees, will enjoy a beautiful view of the California Academy of Sciences and the de Young Memorial Museum. The National AIDS Memorial and the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus have worked together closely over the last year in the design, location, funding and labor to ensure this new feature honoring the national artists community became a reality.

One of Tim’s early ideas was to include an aural component in this space. An 8½-foot-tall Emperor Chime graces the space, a quiet sentinel until visitors ring the chime and speak a name or names of loved ones. I think visitors will find the resonance and harmony restorative and intuitive, just as the memorial cradles memory through the other senses.

On December 1, prior to performing at the 25th annual World AIDS Day National Observance— open to the public, all are welcome—the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus will gather at the Artists Portal to formally dedicate the newest addition to the National AIDS Memorial. This project of love was inspired by the spirit of some of the most creative souls to walk beside us. The memorial has long stood as a space dedicated to heroes, for remembering those we loved, for honoring those who fought and survived, for reminding us of the force and resilience of community.

The National AIDS Memorial is deeply appreciative to all who have supported this project, which will live on in perpetuity to honor all those lost and will tell the story of not only loss but also of incredible strength and compassion. The National AIDS Memorial would like to thank a few individuals for making this project a reality: Tim Seelig, Chris Verdugo, Don Ruthroff and K.C. Farrell.

John Cunningham is the Executive Director of the National AIDS Memorial Grove. Tom Jensen, a digital consultant for Wells Fargo Virtual Channels Digital group, is a member of the organization’s Board of Directors.

Artists Portal Preview

On Saturday, October 27, friends, supporters and members of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band joined with staff and volunteers of the National AIDS Memorial Grove for a visit to the site of the new Artists Portal. Held in conjunction with a weekend of activities celebrating the 40th Birthday of the Chorus, the event included music by the band, singing, remarks and a City of San Francisco Board of Supervisors proclamation presented by Supervisor Rafael Mandelman. Supporter Terrence Chang spoke and used the mallet to present an inaugural ringing of the Portal’s Emperor Chime as his partner Edward Sell and all who gathered observed.

Donors Supporting the Artist Portal at the National AIDS Memorial Grove

The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) has long dreamt of creating a lasting tribute to those we have lost to the AIDS pandemic. Now, thanks to the following generous donors, such a tribute is possible at the National AIDS Memorial Grove.

SFGMC wishes to extend a special thank you to all those who have donated time and expertise in making the new Artists Portal possible. Financial contributions from the following individuals, LG- BTQ choruses and allied organizations were instrumental in giving life to the memorial. Thank you!

On World AIDS Day, December 1, the Artists Portal will be dedicated in memory of those singers who no longer stand on stage but whose voices still resound in our hearts.

Only three years into the life of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, AIDS burst onto the scene, changing all of our lives forever. Since then, the Chorus has lost over 300 singers to the ravages of HIV/AIDS and continues its tireless efforts in spreading awareness and fighting the disease and its stigma.

The Chorus has long dreamed of creating a lasting tribute to those we have lost to the AIDS pandemic. Soon there will be the Artists Portal, a permanent memorial within the National AIDS Memorial Grove.

On December 1, World AIDS Day, the Artists Portal and monument to San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus brothers in song at the Memorial will be dedicated and open to the public. The Artists Portal will honor musicians and artists we have lost from every discipline. It will also include the names of regional, national and international LG- BTQ and arts organizations that have additionally lost members. The first of those to be represented are members of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses.

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National AIDS Memorial Grove History and Endowment

The National AIDS Memorial Grove, located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, is a dedicated space in the national landscape where millions of Americans touched directly or indirectly by AIDS can gather to heal, hope and remember. Its mission is to provide, in perpetuity, a place of remembrance so that the lives of people who died from AIDS are not forgotten and the story is known by future generations.

For all the promising prospects on the horizon, AIDS continues to invade our lives, violate our past and rob us of our comfortable assumptions about the future. The sacred ground of this 10-acre living memorial honors all who have confronted this tragic pandemic; those who have died, and those who have shared their struggle, kept the vigils and supported each other during the final hours.

Conception

The idea for the National AIDS Memorial was first conceived in 1988 by a small group of San Francisco residents representing a community devastated by the AIDS epidemic, but with no positive way to express their collective grief. They envisioned a serene place where people would come alone or in groups to hold memorial services, to remember among the rhododendrons and redwoods. It was to be a place dedicated to all lives touched by AIDS.

As news of the AIDS Memorial Grove initiative grew, so did support and interest. The group selected as the site for the Grove the de Laveaga Dell, near the park’s tennis courts, in world-renowned Golden Gate Park. Due to park budget cuts and lack of funding, the Dell had fallen into a state of disrepair. It was overgrown and unusable by the public. A team of prominent architects, landscape architects and designers volunteered countless hours to create a landscape plan that would be fitting as a timeless living memorial.

Site renovation began in September 1991, and continues as needed. The Grove is an

award-winning example of civic beautification, combining both public and private sectors in urban-park restoration and promoting AIDS awareness. In 1999, it was bestowed the Rudy Bruner Silver Medal Award for excellence in the urban environment. The Grove’s board of directors obtained a 99-year renewable lease with the City of San Francisco to create and maintain the Grove. Public officials praise the project as the perfect example of a public-private partnership, a model project for like-minded groups throughout the world.

National Status

In October 1996, through the passage of legislation spearheaded by Representative Nancy Pelosi and signed by then President Bill Clinton, the AIDS Memorial Grove Act of 1996 designated the Grove as this nation’s AIDS Memorial. This official designation as the National AIDS Memorial Grove, a status comparable to that of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor, proclaims to the world that there is a dedicated space in the national public landscape where anyone who has been touched by AIDS can grieve openly without being stigmatized, can find comfort among others whose lives have been affected by AIDS and can experience the feelings of renewal and hope inherent in nature.

As the AIDS pandemic continues to invade humanity, in unprecedented numbers, the establishment of the Grove as the national gathering place for healing, hope and remembrance also serves as an important marker in the history of this dreadful disease.

Site Revitalization

Community response is the heart of the Grove. During its first decade, the Grove was transformed into a lush and tranquil site visited by thousands of people annually. Since 1991, thousands of volunteers have donated more than 200,000 hours participating

in monthly Community Volunteer Workdays. Workday attendance averages 200 volunteers, ranging from the very young to the elderly. Workday volunteers come from all segments of the community and represent a diverse range of racial, economic, cultural, religious and other social groups.

Under professional supervision, they have made the restoration of the Grove a shining reality, clearing massive overgrowth and reintroducing

native species by planting thousands of new trees, plants and shrubs. Other restoration efforts have included the construction of site improvements for public use. These features include six flagstone gathering areas, the placement of numerous Sierra granite boulders and eighteen freestanding benches. A paved, ADA-compliant mobility path leads to the Circle of Friends, and a gravel access skirts the

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The Fifth Section of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus

Whenever the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus performs, they sing for their brothers who are no longer with us. Over 300 members of the Chorus—known as the Fifth Section—have been lost to us over the years, many as a result of HIV/AIDS. Their names are memorialized in the Chorus’ concert playbills, and we do so here now as well in the San Francisco Bay Times, where many of these talented individuals were featured over the years. Their spirit lives on with us and we honor their memory.

Jim Aiken • Skip Aiken • Jeff Alons • Paul Alsbach • Terry Althoff • Miles Scott Amen • Steve Amos • Paul Anelli • John Atteridg • Edwin Barlow • Crawford Barton • Craig Beachler • Robert Beale • Glenn Beardsley • Jerry Berg • Marion Besco • Sam Bittner • Kristen Bjoernfeld • Bill Blake • Allan Blasdale • John Andre Bonnemaison • Jeff Bortin • Edward Brener • Peter Brockhoff • John Brown • John Brown • John Bryant • Jay Burwick • John Cailleau • Chris Campbell • Jack Campbell • Scott Campbell • Duncan Campbell Jr. • Terry Carlson • John Cashman • Bud Castleman • Mark Chapa • Bruce Chelini • Al Cherry • Alexsis Gregory Chew • Bob Chinen • C. Brian Christianson • Andrew Chrystall • Michael Clarke • Kevin Conduff • Richard Connelly • Bob Connett • Gregory Cooper • Jimmy Corbett • Jeff Cothran • Clayton Cowan • John Crimen • Mark Crissey • Tim Curbo • Mark D’Angelo • Alan Da Cunzo • Bobby Darnell • David Davenport • Robert del Valle • Walt Dennis • Douglas Dickinson • Bob Dinsmore • Scott Dowdee • Tom Doyle • Brian Duckworth • Andy Einkauf • Alan Ellis • Patrick Elvander • Bob Emery • Robert Erickson • Stephen Eschenbach • Robert Espindola • Gary Falardeau • Jim Farmer • Michael Farrell • Keith Fenton • Bruce Fetherolf • Clif Fields • Steven Filice • Justin Fingado • Brian Finnegan • Wyrant Flonory • Fredrick Floyd • Ted Foster • Mark Fotopoulos • David Fox • David Smith Fox • Jon Franck • Jim Franks • John French • Robert Frey • Evan Friedman • Stephen Frugoli • Scott Galuteria • Larry Garrigan • Gary Garrison • Perry George • Don Giberson • David Gooding • Keith Gockel • Bill Graham • Philip Graham • Larry Griffin • Gordon Grover • Tom Gschwind • Gene Guenther • Dean Halsey • Andy Hammond • Dr. Mark L. Hamner • Dennis Haney • Jerry Haney • Robert Hawk • Greg Hay • Frank Hecker • David Held • Mark Hermes • Paul Hernandez • Charles Herrington • Robert Hichborn • Tom Hickey • Mark Hirano • Rexford Hitchcock • Greg Holbrook • Richard Hollenbaugh • Jerry Horsting • Roger Hostetler • Clyde Howell • Douglas Jackson • Frank Jackson • Keith Jacobsen • David James • Scott Johnson • Albert Jones • Paul Jones • Keith Kamrath • Robin Kay • Carl Kimball • Lester King • Rick Kirkham • Diane Kohne Schuster • John Kovach • Tony Kramedes • Dick Kramer • John Krause • Thom Kumorek • Greg Lawrance • Joe Leary • Kevin Lenzen • Jeff Lettow • Don Levine • Bill Lewandowski • Ed Lichtenstein • Gerry Lo Presti • Frank Lobraico • Wayne Love • Joseph Loza • Ed Lucas • John Lusk • Roger Luttrell • Michael MacDonald • Darren MacGavin • John MacKintosh • Mike Maguire • Terence Maguire • Jim Mahony • Renny Marinaccio • Gerry Marquis • Gerald Martin • Mickey Martin • Steve Martin • Tom Martin • Leonard Matlovich • Roy McConahay • Steve McDowell • John McFarland • Mike McGavren • Michael McIntyre • John McLeod • Pipo Micheli • Allen Midkiff • Glen Miller • Kevan Miller • Mark Mousseau • Jim Murnan • Craig Neeley • Gary Newcomb • Al Nichols • Gregg Nicholson • Dennis Niswander • Ken Noble • David Norton • Ryan Nunez • Floyd Ohler • James Onion • Garry Osborne • Tom Pallerino • Nick Papadopoulos • Phil Pearce • Gerald Pearson • Chuck Pedersen • Roger Pelletier • Norman Perry • Terry Peterson • Shane Petree • Rodger Pettyjohn • Donald Phillips • Harrison Pierce • George Piper • Brian Powdrill • Bill Powell • Terry Presley • Ted Printz • Steven Prokasky • Bill Pugh • Michael Pugh • Paul Pukas • Guy Rana • Bill Randles • Douglas Randolph • Melvin Rebhahn • Robert Rekart • Bruce Reynolds • John Reynolds • John Riccardi • Cameron Robb • Jay Roberts • Jim Robison • David Keleikini Roddell • Marty Roddell • Bob Rogers • Steven Rohrer • Jon Rollins • Dave Romero • Regis Rosetta • Steven Rozell • Lane Ruoff • Jim Russell • Charlie Salumbides • Paul Sanchez • Patrick Santiago • Bill Schade • Steve Schmorr • Dan Schreiber • Bob Scott • Roger Scroggs • Neil Seymour • Michael Shamburger • Ray Shanks • Dennis Shaw • David Shortridge • Lee Sierecki • George Silkworth • John Simo • Jon Sims • Tom Sims • Barry Singer • Fred Skau • Hal Slate • Rick Slavsky • Ted Smith • Scott Smitherum • Vince Sofia • Dale Sorensen • Scott Squires • Jay Stinson • Jerry Stokes • Steve Sutherland • Burleigh Sutton • Timothy Tafoya • John Tallerino • Mike Tallmadge • Gregg Tallman • Joseph Taro • Lance Taylor • Chuck Thayer • Curtis Thomas • David Thomas • Lavoy Thompson • David Thormann • Robert Thrower • Eric Tiffany • Bill Toner • Jack Torres • John Trojanski • Bill Tucker • Richard Vincent • Daryl Wagner • Karl Walker • David Warrior • Samuel Weaver • Robert Weinand • Leroy Westbrook • Mark Whiting • Larry Whitlock • Gary Wilson • Ric Wilson • Aaron Wimmer • Gary Wintermeyer • Jim Wolfe • Michael Wolford • Eric Worden • Douglas Wright • Jim Wright • Claude Zetty • Jim Zielinski

Ensuring Remembrance

This permanent endowment is maintained by the Grove, and funds the salary of a gardener committed solely to the upkeep of the Grove and its annual maintenance, and provides a nominal contingency fund—for repairs and other needed work—in perpetuity. The Grove’s endowment preserves for all time a living memorial for remembrance and reflection, for inspiration and action. The Circle

of Friends, located at the Dogwood Crescent in the eastern end of the Grove, is the major component in the endowment campaign. To date, nearly $4,000,000 has been received, and thousands of individuals have been honored.

Most memorials are built after the struggle is over. This battle rages on and we cannot wait, lest any one of our loved ones lost to AIDS be forgotten. The Grove exists in large measure because of the generous contributions from individuals, philanthropic organizations and corporations. As with most Grove donations to date, funds for the completion of the Grove’s endowment will be raised

almost entirely from nongovernmental sources.

The National AIDS Memorial Grove is governed by a dedicated board of directors who have signed a 99-year renewable agreement with the City of San Francisco through the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department to maintain the Grove in perpetuity. It is a project of the Tides Center, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to social service and stewardship of the natural environment.

National AIDS Memorial Grove: https://aidsmemorial.org/

Tides: https://www.tides.org/

4 SAN FRANCISCO BAY TIMES NOVEMBER 29, 2018

AIDS Memorial Grove Donors (continued from page 4)

Paul Saccone + Ryan Knight Justin Taylor

Guardian ($2,500+) Jaime Caban + Rob Mitchell Stephen P. Hanten Steve Gallagher + Chris Thorne Gary Richards + Cecil Johnson

Defender ($1,000+) Anonymous Tiffany, Dan + Sadie Apczynski Sal Baglieri + Peter Cirincione Mike Bankert + John Tease Fred Baumer + Phillip Browning Dale Becherer + Cole P. Kinney Derek Blechinger + Andrew Conrad Jim Bohanon + Larry Fleck Them Bui + Jim Hill Tom Burch + Neil Austin Bruce Carpenter Joe Castrovinci Lloyd + Janet Cluff Rick Crane + Warwick Bentley Joe Czuberki Jay Davidson + Kevin O’Neill Bud Dillon Sean Dowdall + David Landis Jared + Peter Drake

Dan England + Dr. Tim Seelig Adrian Fischer + Soo Choi John Foertsch Robbie Frederick + Andrew Marsh Steve Gallagher + Chris Thorne Jim Gibson Jason + Stephen Harpster Andersen Steven Huffines + Daniel McCurdy Cynthia + Jerry Johnston Louis Kelly Randy Laroche + David Laudon Dr. Jay Lalezari Stephen Luppino Cam McLoed + Jeff Damon Gary + David Mendelson Varela Keith Pepper + Ken Raith Curtis Ponzi Jamie Rawson Eddie Reynolds, Jr. + Herman Correa Gary Richards Bob Rufo Donald Ruthroff + Jonathan Kronn Mark Short Michael Tate + Simon O’Mahony Christopher Verdugo Gary Welch

Partner ($500+) Andrew Lippa + Tom Regouski James McCrea + Gregory Jurin Marilyn Stewart Tracy Tuenge

Friend ($1+) Richard Brabham Gerald Deighton Roseanne de Vries Susan Feder Paul Frantz Peter Franzi Jonathan Funk + John Arnold Barbara Hodgen William Hughes Dan Joraanstad + Robert Hermann Lynn Kormondy Jessica McMillan Mauricio Montano Scott Nelson Mike Oliver + Rodney Wade Michael Ring Pam Sammons Allan Treuter Terry + Lisa Viall Mike Volis Michael Wright + Brian Roby Kasi + Craig Zieminski

SAN FRANCISCO BAY TIMES NOVEMBER 29, 2018 9

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San Francisco Bay Times - November 29, 2019