Plates decorated by celebrities, politicians and community notables raised over $20,000 for the nonprofit HIV/AIDS organization Being Alive San Diego at an auction held at the Balboa Park Club on Jan. 22. The inaugural event brought out approximately 150 guests, including Councilmember Donna Frye, Kaiser Medical Director Arthur Flippin and Ordinary Miracles’ founder Big Mike Phillips.

The inaugural event, called “Soulplates: Celebrity Art Extravaganza”, featured plates decorated by the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Camryn Manheim, Barbra Streisand, John Lithgow, Judith Light, Maria Shriver, Kathy Najimy, Elton John, Tony Gwynn, Deepak Chopra, City Councilmember Toni Atkins, State Senator Christine Kehoe, County Supervisor Ron Roberts, City Councilmember Donna Frye, San Diego Symphony Conductor Jahja Ling and the Imperial Court.

“Especially the first year, you anticipate that there will be some rough patches and some things you want to smooth out, but the people that went said they had a great time and they loved it,” Wagner said. “In fact, several people that attended have volunteered … they will work to help us do it even bigger next year.”

All told, 80 plates went up for auction. Barbra Streisand’s plate garnered the highest bid of the evening, selling for around $400.

Some plates were painted with designs or line drawings, and others utilized collage and photographs.

Local Tony award-winning director Jack O’Brien, who decorated a Hairspray-themed plate, drafted the letter used to get participants on board. O’Brien plans to serve as the event’s honorary chair next year, Wagner said.

Artists contributed framed prints, hand-painted martini glasses, ceramic bowls and plates and photography to the auction. Gift baskets and wine were also auctioned off. The highest bid for the evening was a one-week vacation for two to Rancho La Puerta, which sold for $2,900.

Because the silent auction was so popular, Being Alive plans to expand its scope for next year. They’ll keep the heavy hors d’oeuvres and open bar, but move the event to a different venue, possibly bring in a comedian and have more live entertainment. “We talked about wanting to have a celebrity at least to give an award or a speech, so that will also be another draw. And we have a couple of people who have said ‘Give me a call next year and maybe I can come down and do that for you,’” Wagner said. “We’re excited. This really took off and couldn’t have pleased us any more how well this went for the first year.”

Kaiser Foundation was presented with the Good Apple Award for contributing support and more than $70,000 to Being Alive’s programs over the years. Dr. Flippin accepted the award on Kaiser’s behalf.

Dr. Daniel Lee of the Owen Clinic was given the Physician’s Leadership Award for his years of service to the HIV/AIDS community, including serving on the board of Being Alive, holding educational seminars and volunteering in the community.

“I couldn’t even begin to put a price-tag value on all of the things that he’s done for the community over the years … he’s really gone above and beyond,” Wagner said. “There certainly are a lot of things you could do in medicine that could make you a lot more money. I would say that HIV is probably one of the worst paying areas a doctor could ever go into.”

Now in its 16th year, Being Alive provides support, access to information and resources, public advocacy and social interaction for people living with HIV and AIDS. They are in the process of moving their North County office to a new location due to skyrocketing rent costs and cuts in funding. Being Alive North County has been in existence for seven years, and is relocating after five years at its current location.

“Primary medical goes up and up every year, and they [the government] have to put more and more money into primary medical care,” Wagner explained. “That cuts money from support service, so contracts are shrinking, costs, of course, are rising.”

Wagner said Being Alive North County’s building recently changed ownership and the accompanying rise in rent costs was more per month than the reimbursement the county gives Being Alive for operation costs.

They hope the lower operating costs at their new location will help keep their doors open and services running.