NEW YORK, NY.- Visual AIDS, the country’s premiere non-profit organization uniting visual artists and HIV prevention and awareness will hold their largest benefit, Postcards From the Edge from January 7 - 9, 2011 at CRG Gallery. Known amongst art enthusiasts and collectors as an exciting and affordable way to purchase original work by established and emerging artists from around the world, Postcards From the Edge is a unique fundraiser where each of the 1,500+ postcard-sized artworks are uniformly priced at only $85.00. Each piece is exhibited anonymously and the identity of the artist is revealed only after the work is purchased.

The Preview Cocktail Party, raffle and silent auction will be held on Friday, January 7 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Admission is $85.00, which includes a raffle ticket to win first choice of any postcard. New this year is an online auction for five VIP packages that will allow the highest bidders to bypass the Benefit Sale line on Saturday morning. Five additional chances to be among the first to enter the gallery on Saturday will be auctioned during the Preview Party. Many artists who have donated work will be in attendance, as will their gallerists and celebrity art patrons. Attendees will also be greeted by the bejeweled and dazzling members of The Imperial Court of New York, outfitted in full drag outfits and attitude.

The Benefit Sale of postcard-size art begins on Saturday, January 8th from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and continues through Sunday, January 9th from Noon until 4 p.m. Admission to the Benefit Sale is first-come, first-served, with a suggested admission of $5 each day. Purchase four works and receive the fifth for free. On Sunday, purchase two works and receive the third for free. Accepted forms of payment include cash, check, MC/VISA/AMEX. We level the playing field so all participants can take home a piece of work, whether it was created by a famous artist, or by one who is just making his or her art world debut. Regardless, collectors walk away with a piece of art they love, knowing that the money raised will support HIV prevention and awareness.

Some of the artists who have donated works for this year’s benefit include Christian Marclay, Yoko Ono, Lawrence Weiner, Mickalene Thomas, Kay Rosen, William Wegman, Louise Fishman, Neil Farber, Lynda Beglis, Joan Jonas, Tony Tasset, Matthew Buckingham, David Humphrey, Joy Garnett, Bill Jacobson, Paul Sepuya, Frank Haines, Burt Barr, Greg Colson, Paul Henry Ramirez, Stuart Sandford, Carrie Moyer, Elaine Lustig Cohen, Mark Sheinkman, Sarah McEneaney, Steve DeFrank, and Matthias Herrmann.

Visual AIDS first launched Postcards From the Edge in 1998 and has since raised almost $450,000 via this annual event. Approximately 12,000 postcard works of art have been donated by established and emerging artists from around the world since the event’s conception. Most importantly, by participating in Postcards From the Edge, collectors support the activities of Visual AIDS, enabling the organization to produce AIDSawareness focused contemporary art programs and provide support to artists living with HIV/AIDS, many who are unable to continue producing work without such assistance. All Postcards From the Edge proceeds – 100% of all sales – support the programs of Visual AIDS.