West Hollywood, California

The History and Creation of the AIDS Monument, West Hollywood, California STORIES: The AIDS Monument | Engage WeHo About this Course: The AIDS Monument is a collaboration between the City of West Hollywood and the Foundation for the AIDS Monument (FAM) to memorialize the devastation of HIV/AIDS, honor courageous activists, caregivers, and community leaders through their STORIES, and raise awareness about the history and stigma of living with HIV/AIDS. This program is in three parts: 1.    A conversation with Rogerio Carvalheiro on the conception of the AIDS Monument project from the early 2010’s. He will walk us through the process of the artist selection and how the Friends of the AIDS Monument selected Daniel Tobin as their choice. 2.    A conversation with Daniel Tobin on his creative process and how his design came to be. What were the successes, what were the setbacks. 3.    A conversation with LPA Design Studios, architect for the monument on the process of escorting the artist’s vision into reality through the public bid process. Learning Objectives: Attendees will learn effective community outreach strategies for developing meaningful and inclusive public art. This session will highlight methods for engaging diverse stakeholders, gathering community input, and fostering a sense of shared ownership in the creative process. Participants will also explore the importance of designing public art environments that are physically, culturally, and emotionally accessible to all visitors—ensuring the monument serves as a welcoming and inclusive space for the entire community. Attendees will learn about the artist’s journey from initial concept to final realization of a public monument. This session will explore how ideas are researched, developed, refined, and transformed into approved designs; how artists collaborate with engineers, fabricators, and public agencies; and how the creative vision is carried through fabrication, installation, and public unveiling. Participants will gain a clear view of the artistic, technical, and logistical steps that bring a monument from imagination to fruition. Attendees will gain insight into the complex documentation process required for monument design, from initial concept drawings through the public bid phase. The session will clarify how artists, designers, and project managers must coordinate technical specifications, engineering data, material details, and maintenance plans to meet municipal and state regulatory codes. Participants will also learn how thorough, accurate documentation supports transparency in the public bid process and ensures the final monument meets all safety, accessibility, and durability standards.  Attendees will gain an understanding of the materials selected for the monument—why they were chosen, how they function in a public environment, and what they communicate symbolically. The session will also explore the role of light as an integral design element. Participants will learn how illumination enhances the monument’s visibility, creates a sense of reverence, and establishes the site as a space for contemplation and reflection. Through this discussion, attendees will see how materiality and lighting work together to reinforce the monument’s purpose and emotional resonance. Date: February 12, 2026 Webinar Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM The webinar link will be sent to registrants on February 11TH. Learning Units: 1.5 HSWs Cost: Free REGISTER HERE

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