Artworks Trenton is hosting two exhibitions bringing attention to the victims of gun violence—one is the Potential Project developed by Trenton artist Bentrice Jusu, and the other is the Souls Shot Portrait Project.
Based in Philadelphia, The Souls Shot Project “uses the transformative power of art to bring an end to gun violence.”
Organizers continue to say that “artists, working with families, create portraits to honor the souls shot. By exhibiting the resulting artwork to the public, we invite the community to recognize what has been lost and to take action to end gun violence.”
The project connects artists with families or friends of victims of gun violence to learn about the lives the victims lived and “to present diverse works that in some way relay graphically, or through narrative, the essence of the person being portrayed.
“Our mission is to bring attention to and memorialize the lives lost and tragically altered due to gun violence. Portraits have the unique ability to call out the souls and profoundly affect those who see them.”
The Trenton exhibition was developed in cooperation with Moms Demand Action, a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence.
The organization says in a printed statement that it works to “pass stronger gun laws and work to close the loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our families. We also work in our own communities and with business leaders to encourage a culture of responsible gun ownership. We know that gun violence is preventable, and we’re committed to doing what it takes to keep families safe.”
Also supporting the project is the Everytown Survivor Network, a nationwide community of survivors working together to end gun violence by connecting survivors to each other to amplify the power of survivor voices, offer trauma-informed programs, provide information on direct services, and support survivors who choose to become advocates.
Souls Shot Executive Director Laura Madeleine describes the development of the Trenton exhibition as follows:
“To trace it back, Souls Shot Portrait Project had one of our exhibitions of Philadelphia-area portraits at Willingboro Library a few years ago.
“That exhibition was seen by Judy MacKenzie and some other members of Moms Demand Action.
“MacKenzie is on the faculty of Rowan College of South Jersey and it is through her efforts that Souls Shot Portrait Project was able to put together the exhibition at Artworks.
“It was another Moms Demand Action member, Reba Holley, who put us in contact with Artworks.
“I had not met Bentrice Jusu before (the opening). Her project is similar in mission to ours and it was an honor to be able to show our portraits at the same time and under the same roof.”
Souls Shot organizers say, “We hope that this project will continue to bring some joy and peace to the families and friends of victims and, by bringing attention to the scourge of gun violence in this way, be a call to action to all who see them.”
The Souls Shot Portrait Project, Artworks Trenton, 19 Everett Alley, Trenton. Through July 16. For hours and more information, visit www.artworkstrenton.org.
For more information about the Souls Shot Portrait Project, visit www.soulsshotportraitproject.org.
