Join Southern Colorado Health Network for an enjoyable and exciting evening, including live entertainment, a fabulous dinner, and a silent/live auction, alongside mission moments that will tug at your heartstrings.
The Red Ribbon Ball is a Colorado Springs tradition where Southern Coloradans gather annually to raise funds to support programs and services for people living with HIV throughout the Pikes Peak region.
Matt Kroschel grew up along the banks of the Arkansas River, a proud Salida High School graduate (Class of ‘07) and Colorado Native. After college at Mesa State in Grand Junction, Matt began a decades-long reporting career covering news across the country. Most recently Matt anchored the morning show on KKTV 11 News. Matt now handles public relations for a Fortune 500 defense company based in Colorado Springs.
Matt is an Old Colorado City dweller and has an art studio in what was once an old barber shop. He shares the space with his partner Reed, a flock of chickens, a rescue dog and cats, parrots, and chinchillas!
All of the artwork created is original and Matt often paints from a single photograph on commission for clients throughout the country.
Follow Matt on Instagram (@mattk719) and Facebook (@MattKroschelPaints) to see what he is working on next!
Susan Gillette grew up in Woodstock and Rhinebeck, New York, in the 1960s. Born to a college professor, she was surrounded by the culture and beauty of the Hudson River Valley. Susan received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from SUNY at Purchase under the tutelage of Antonio Frasconi and Murray Zimiles. She continued on to the School of Visual Arts for her Master of Fine Arts (without dissertation) and Art Education. Her education was punctuated by employment at many magazines as an illustrator. After teaching art at Washington Irving High School in lower Manhattan and Saint Mary’s Grade School in Yonkers, New York, she moved to Phoenix, Arizona.
Once in Phoenix, she was hired as a printmaker/designer at Phoenix Art Group until she branched out on her own in 1997. Since that time, her work has been offered through galleries in LA, Seattle, Phoenix, New York, Canada, and the UK. Susan has worked in multiple mediums, often combining printmaking, collage, and painting. Her work ranges in size from 4” X 4” to 8’ x 12’. Susan currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona, with her husband. They enjoy traveling and outdoor activities.
Sue’s art is published under a few different names for copywriting and publishing purposes: Tony Wire, Susan Lorello, Susan Onti, and Madelaine Morris.
Marlene’s career in interior design spanned nearly four decades before she decided to return to her first love of painting. Growing up on a farm in Iowa instilled in her an appreciation for nature’s play of colors. Marlene finds joy in painting and other mediums to create representational and abstract styles.
Website: https://www.marlenepolmearfineart.com
Instagram: marlene.polmearfineart
TOGETHER IN RED goes far beyond a simple statement, the color of an AIDS ribbon, or the sense of shared responsibility we harbor for our community. It’s about the past, the present, the future, and how artists and activists shape them. TOGETHER IN RED marries the power of artists to shape dialogue and impact social change with philanthropy and advocacy to positively impact the lives of thousands of individuals living with HIV in Southern Colorado.
The Brief
All Southern Colorado artists are invited to create or submit existing works of original fine art for consideration. Artists will submit work which interprets the theme TOGETHER IN RED through the lens of our mission statement, concepts rooted in historical and contemporary HIV/AIDS movements, their legacies, or social justice in health equity.
Artwork will be evaluated for inclusion in our auction by a panel of Colorado Health Network staff. Selected artworks will enjoy a public showcase at the 33rd Annual Red Ribbon Ball, promotion online, and be sold at auction in service of our clients. One lucky artist chosen by the panel will receive two complimentary tickets to the event and access to the VIP reception. Four artists will receive a 50% discount on two general admission tickets to the event and access to the VIP reception.
Submission Requirements
- APPLICATION FEE: None
- DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: March 31st, 2026
- MEDIA: All visual media types and styles accepted; dance, musical, and instrumental submissions are welcome. Performers may be considered for participation in the fundraising event on April 25th, 2026.
- Submissions must bear your signature and include a title, the estimated value of the work, dimensions, year, and description of media.
- The work must prominently feature the color, interpretation, or concept of red unless the purposeful absence of red bears conceptual significance on the piece.
- Submissions must include a one paragraph biography of the artist.
- Submissions must include a one to two paragraph description of the work, inspirations behind it, and its meaning to the artist.
- Submissions must include four to five high-quality photos of the work.
- Artwork will be donated to CHN for auction, with all proceeds benefiting the organization.
- Artists will receive online promotion and in-person promotion at the event.
- Artists will receive a tax-deductible donation letter for tax purposes.
Exclusions & Considerations
- Artwork created with AI, manipulated by AI, or which use AI references will not be accepted for consideration.
- All artwork must be original: no reproductions, prints, or copies of original works will be accepted for evaluation.
- If accepted, artwork must be dropped off at our Colorado Springs office (1301 S. 8th St., Colorado Springs, CO 80905) no later than Friday, April 17th.
- Artists may submit up to two works for consideration.
Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors
The Red Ribbon Ball honors over 40 years of community-driven care in the Pikes Peak Region, tracing its roots back to 1986 when local advocates formed a grassroots response to the emerging AIDS crisis. From serving just a handful of clients to supporting more than 600 today, Southern Colorado Health Network has evolved alongside HIV. Proceeds from the 2026 Red Ribbon Ball will directly support the Compassionate Connections Campaign, a transformative effort to bring all SCHN programs in Colorado Springs under one roof. This new space will expand access to essential services, including medical and dental care, behavioral health, nutrition support, prevention, and case management—ensuring compassionate, comprehensive care for all, regardless of ability to pay. We are deeply grateful to our sponsors whose partnership makes this mission possible and helps secure a healthier future for our community.
Photos from 2025’s outstanding Red Ribbon Ball!
