While the start of the holiday season sparks excitement for most people, A Day Without Art is a reminder that not all traditions are joyous.A Day Without Art, celebrated yesterday, allowed the Wexner Center for the Arts a way to remember those who have died from AIDS or are infected with the HIV virus.The Wexner Center and the Columbus Museum of Art joined others around the world and dimmed their lights for 15 minutes in the evening to pay tribute to the victims of AIDS. Yesterday was also World AIDS Day.’The Wexner Center joins hands with other Columbus arts organizations to observe and internationally recognized day of mourning and action in response to the AIDS crisis,’ said Darnell Lautt, spokesman for the Wexner Center.The Wexner Center also presented a sidewalk display at the museum, listing the names of those who have died from AIDS.’Visitors will be invited to add the names of their lost loved ones to this ‘sidewalk of the stars,” Lautt said.Other activities included performances by the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus and Women’s Chorus, as well as ‘AIDS Update,’ a series of videos depicting HIV-positive people and their daily struggles, on view at the Wexner Center Videotechque. In addition, the Wexner Center and the Columbus Museum of Art waived admission fees to the museums in lieu of donations to Project Open Hand Columbus, an organization serving HIV-positive and AIDS-infected people.Project Open Hand Columbus is a nonprofit organization designed to provide meals and nutritional counseling to those infected with the disease in the area, said Andrea Timpeiro, the organization’s director.’Our programs are open to all persons in Columbus affected by HIV,’ Timpeiro said. ‘The assistance we have provided to those infected with HIV has helped to alleviate the worry and stress of countless family members and friends who care for someone living with HIV.’Timpeiro said Project Open Hand Columbus, started in 1994, relies on volunteers and fund raisers to keep its programs going.’We provide a channel through which caring individuals can extend loving support to their friends and neighbors living with HIV or AIDS,’ Timpeiro said.Project Open Hand Columbus will also receive all proceeds from t-shirt sales with ‘A Day Without Art’ designs on them Timpeiro said. These shirts are located at the Wexner Center Bookshop and various bookstores around the city.A Day Without Art, in its eighth year, was originally organized in 1989 by Visual AIDS, a volunteer group dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of AIDS.Although A Day Without Art concurs with World AIDS Day, Visual AIDS has been involved with providing direct service to people infected with HIV for almost a decade.