This month's Second Saturday event will pay tribute to founder Michael Himovitz, who pioneered the Sacramento arts showcase before losing his battle to HIV 15 years ago.

Julia and Lucas Himovitz organized this special Second Saturday to honor their father's legacy.

Nine Sacramento art galleries will be dedicating their shows to Himovitz. In each gallery a mounted display along with a donation box for Center for AIDS Research, Education and Services will be set up. The CARES Are You the Difference campaign is working to end all new cases of HIV in the Sacramento area within the next five years.

"He was very passionate about what he did," Lucas Himovitz said. "He wanted to educate and connect people through discussing art. He really helped to bring more art awareness to Sacramento."

Michael Himovitz created Second Saturday over 20 years ago after visiting art galleries in San Francisco, Portland and Seattle. He used these cities as models for Sacramento.

Since then, Second Saturday has grown and evolved in the Sacramento community. Now a number of area art galleries — in Downtown, Midtown, Uptown and East Sacramento — present an array of art pieces accompanied by a festival-style social atmosphere. Attendees will normally walk along the streets while also listening to music and indulging in food and wine.

Despite the party vibe, the original grassroots feel — people discussing and enjoying art — is still prevalent thanks to Himovitz.

"Michael encouraged new artists, and helped bring a level of understanding and appreciation of art to the public," a Michael Himovitz dedication flier said. "He was dedicated to AIDS prevention, helping organize various events in the community," Lucas Himovitz said.

"I am extremely proud of what my dad did," Lucas Himovitz said. "We want people to remember this and to honor him. He is my hero."

The nine galleries involved in Michael Himovitz's dedication are:

Axis Gallery
B. Sakata Garo Gallery
Jay Jay
Skinner Howard Art
Solomon Dubnick Gallery
Verge Gallery and Studio Project
A Bitchin' Space
Crandall Bear Studios
Vox Sacramento