about the event
art & activism
Since the early days of the AIDS epidemic, artists have played a pivotal role in fighting for change and bringing awareness to the plight of the HIV community. And for nearly 37 years, the CAP Art Auction has remained a cornerstone event that celebrates that legacy and the power of art to mobilize support for our mission.
With support from hundreds of artists from across the Pacific Northwest and their incredible donation of artwork, this annual event empowers CAP to deliver critical programs and services to those living with HIV, the LGBTQ+ community, and all those seeking compassionate care. From housing and food security to low-barrier testing and affirming health care services, CAP transforms lives daily.
form & focus
In the late 1950s and 1960s, a group of artists began distilling art to its essential elements. In a world saturated with symbolism, spectacle, and emotional excess, Minimalism emerged as a disciplined counterpoint. It asked a radical question: What holds meaning when everything competes for attention?
Artists like Donald Judd, Agnes Martin, Dan Flavin, and Sol LeWitt embraced geometric forms, repetition, industrial materials, and quiet restraint. Their work was not about decoration or illusion. It was about presence. Line. Light. Space. Structure.
Minimalism was not emptiness—it was intention. By narrowing their focus, artists created space for clarity. By refining form, they amplified meaning. The simplicity itself became the statement.
Form & Focus draws inspiration from this lineage. In a time marked by noise, division, and accelerating complexity, we choose to center what matters most. Care. Community. Dignity. Health. Justice. The essential structures that sustain lives and strengthen futures.
This year’s CAP Art Auction invites artists and supporters alike to explore the power of intentional focus—to consider how clarity can elevate voices, how structure can support belonging, and how disciplined design can deepen impact.
Because when we center our attention on what is essential, we don’t erase complexity—we illuminate what deserves to be seen.
Join us for an evening that celebrates clarity, creativity, and community care. Your ticket, your bid, your gift—each is a bold statement of support for our life-saving work. Whether you’re a returning collector or a first-time guest, we can’t wait to welcome you into a space where art meets impact.