Blaq Linq presents ‘Paint & Shade The Stigma’

Blaq Linq, a nonprofit organization created to “empower and elevate underserved ethnic groups of color, regardless of how someone may identify, through our four pillars: social enterprise, digital media and creative arts, education and personal development and health and wellness, marks World AIDS Day with “Paint & Shade The Stigma, Vol. 2” on Friday, Dec. 5, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center, 223 W. Jefferson Blvd. (free street parking available).

“Paint & Shade The Stigma” is an “embodied paint-and-sip experience” in which participants are invited to paint directly onto the body of a live model in real time, “transforming vulnerability into visibility,” according to a press release about the event. “Each brushstroke is an act of remembrance and resistance through our ‘Ink Your Impact’ experience: Choose a word, phrase or symbol to paint on the model honoring those we’ve lost, those who live and those still healing.”

Models are provided by The Legendary International House of GarVon — Gulf Coast Chapter and The International Captivating House of West — Gulf Coast Chapter.

Also at the event, spoken word artist Guru hosts the “Stigma I’m Shading” Open Mic with guest speakers Kahlib Barton, father of The Legendary International House of GarVon — Gulf Coast Chapter, and Deon West, father of The International Captivating House of West — Gulf Coast Chapter. The open mic is presented in part with support from Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition.

There will confidential HIV testing and local wellness resources on site, a Community Collective featuring local fraternities, organizations, creators and cultivators, DJ vibes and more.

Tickets are $10, and each ticket includes an apron and gloves, brushes and paints, complimentary soda and juice, charcuterie by Fogo de Chão and I ticket in the raffle for exclusive giveaways. VIP tickets are available for $20 and include one premium drink ticket.

Raffle ticket bundles are $5 for five tickets, $10 for 10 tickets.

RSVP now.

— Tammye Nash