From the foreword to the catalog, The Souls, New Jersey Chapter.

This catalog chronicles the first annual exhibition of the New Jersey chapter of Souls Shot: Portraits of Victims of Gun Violence, now in its fifth year This exhibition represents only a small fraction of those affected by gun violence. This year we are showing two separate exhibitions—one traveling in Pennsylvania and one in New Jersey. As the Souls Shot Portrait Project has expanded over the last pandemic-challenged months, we have included participants from across our country. The New Jersey chapter has graciously included all who wish to be a part of this action to bring attention to the cost of this other epidemic, the epidemic of gun violence.

To create these portraits, the artists participating in this project were randomly paired with the families and friends of victims or, in some cases, artists already had personal connections with the victims. The artists set out to illuminate the lives of these victims. The varied approaches and mediums used by the artists are a fitting testament to the unique qualities of each of the souls portrayed.

Families of the victims constantly face questions and comments about their loved ones, mostly about the circumstances of the gun violence. The Souls Shot Portrait Project seeks to focus on the lives that were lived before that split-second, unacceptable decision was made by the shooter. These people did not deserve the consequences of that devastating choice. These people were—and are—more than numbers.

This catalog represents the commitment of all who are involved in the Souls Shot Portrait Project. We will continue to bring to the public intimate glimpses into the lives cut short by gun violence; to raise awareness of the terrible cost to our communities; to touch hearts and minds; to move people to take action.

On behalf of all those who participated in creating this exhibition, we hope you will be moved by the images and that you will get to know the depth of these unique human beings; our fellow souls.

Laura Madeleine, Executive Director and Curator

SCHEDULE OF HOST VENUES

For information on location, times & dates for our in-person exhibitions, please see our Events page by CLICKING HERE.

You can also view more details on our prospective calendar for this exhibition by clicking HERE

highlights from rowan college of south jersey opening reception for our Nj exhibition

2021-2022 New jersey virtual EXHIBITION

THE PORTRAITS

“THE SOULS” new jersey volume 1 CATALOG

THE ARTISTS

Ebony Bennett

Ebony Bennett is a North Philadelphia native. She is known for creating beautiful portrait paintings inspired by everyday people and influenced by Black culture. Recently, Ebony’s artwork has been on display at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. Ebony enjoys sharing the joy of art within her community. She has taught art classes to children at the Athletic Recreation Center, Brewerytown Garden and Sound Space Philly.

Website: Ebennettart.com | IG @ebennettart

Alexis Cutshall

My name is Lexi Cutshall and I am an artist based just outside of Philly. I have been painting and drawing since I was a little kid but my favorite mediums are acrylic paint and chalk pastel because they allow me a lot of room to work. They also allow me to capture movement. My favorite images to create are usually of the human figure, asI find the shapes it creates to be very beautiful - or of animals, as I am able to capture special moments in people's life. Recently, however, art has become even more meaningful to me and I have decided to try to make more of an impact. I think that artists have a unique gift and even a responsibility to depict the world around us. Art is a very powerful visual medium that can often illustrate difficult emotions and concepts. I think it is an important way in which we understand and navigate through the world. This project has not only allowed me to connect with an amazing woman but has given me the opportunity of preserving the legacy of her son. It has also given me a chance to participate in something bigger than myself and use my skills as an artist to raise awareness on an issue that desperately needs to be addressed; gun sense.

IG  @lexicutshall

Loren Dann

I am a multi-disciplined fine artist, painter, studying in mixed media, oil, unraveling layers of questions and attempts at answers. My goal is to inspire intersectionality and unity for artists and women. To create, to teach and listen to those who feel distorted by society’s aesthetics and expectations.

Website lorendann.com

Christopher Hardgrove

Christopher Hardgrove is a local Philadelphia artist who embraces unrefined aesthetics in craft oriented props, revealing hypocritical tensions within social systems. Engaging fragility and vulnerability multimedia video installations and performances walk the line between comfort and discomfort, euphoria and depression, and susceptibility and protection. The work is developed in a procession from ideation to realization that is highly ordered and structured, rejecting high art connotations of the centrality of elitist audiences. Softness and pliability as materiality is the starting point for this exploration that weaves, glues, melts, molds and engraves across a diverse set of mediums.

The work of Christopher Hardgrove is intrigued by the absurd and its proximity to our everyday lives. Employing the intimacy of quotidian objects he draws the viewer towards a psychological and physical terrain of irrationality. The work investigates light, movement and stillness in 2d, 3d and 4d mediums in order to emphasize a human tendency to strive for order and logic within patterns of absurdity and futility.

Embracing unrefined aesthetics in craft oriented props, Hardgrove reveals hypocritical tensions within social systems. Engaging fragility and vulnerability multimedia video installations and performances walk the line between comfort and discomfort, euphoria and depression, and susceptibility and protection.

The work is developed in a procession from ideation to realization that is highly ordered and structured, rejecting high art connotations of the centrality of elitist audiences. Softness and pliability as materiality is the starting point for this exploration that weaves, glues, melts, molds and engraves across a diverse set of mediums. Formal repetition, refined details and incongruity within these pieces examine societal concerns that invoke practice and dedication while allowing the materials to speak of their history and utilitarian nature while alluding to the precariousness of communally prescribed norms.

Website: www.christopherhardgrove.com | IG @chrishard

Ann Price Hartzell

I began my career with a degree in fine and applied arts - which focused mostly on vocal music. Later I returned to school for a degree in Fashion Design. My designs won many awards including the opportunity to show my collection at 7th on Sixth the New York Fashion Week Runway Shows. Operating my own apparel business, "designAnn", for 25+ years, I create Art to Wear, one-of-a-kind women’s accessories and wraps. As a freelancer, I designed women’s shoes, Christmas and holiday decor, custom wedding gowns, and outerwear. In 2017, I became involved with Souls Shot Portraits Portrait Project having never done a portrait outside of art school. The experience of getting to know these families has changed my life. Lately, I spend my free time sharing art projects with children at the CHARLES Foundation. It was founded by Movita Johnson Harrell whom I met doing a portrait of her cousin. Then in 2018 I did a portrait of her youngest son Charles. I am now considered part of the family. The anguishing stories of the promising young men to gun violence became personal and heartbreaking when she lost her second son Donte’ to gun violence in March. I have no words. Please, no thoughts and prayers.

Website: designann.etsy.com | IG @designann

Lisa Hendrickson

Lisa Hendrickson was a senior executive in the apparel industry directing design and product development for companies in New York City and Philadelphia. Currently she is an artist specializing in mixed media and oil portraits. In her work, she tries to visually tell the stories of people and places she has experienced.

Website: https://lisahendricksonart.wordpress.com/

Rebecca Hoenig

I am drawn to the spiritual aspects of art and the essential mystery inherent in all natural and artistic creation. I work in a wide array of media including drawing, painting, photography, printmaking and mixed media sculpture. I have participated in many juried group shows as well as several solo exhibitions over the past few decades. I am currently focused on developing my children's book illustration website: www.rebeccajanehoenig.com. I also have a general website. for all my other work : www.rebeccahoenig.com

Eoin Kinnarney

Eoin Kinnarney is an Associate Professor at Rowan College South Jersey.

Anna Kocher

Anna Kocher is a painter, art teacher, and mother living in the greater Philadelphia area. Her work is focused primarily on memory and longing. Anna has had the privilege of creating many paintings for commission, exhibiting her work, creating murals, contributing to arts publications, and volunteering with different arts organizations. She has been involved with Souls Shot since its inaugural year and is proud and thankful to use her painting to remember beloved souls lost to gun violence and bring attention to this tragic national crisis.

Website: https://www.annakocher.com/ | IG  @annakocherart 

Jacqueline Lewis

Jacqueline Lewis founded the World Gratitude Map and is the author of Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone. Her painting and writing focus on resilience, grace, kindness, triumph and possibility. Because the stories we tell create the people we become. 

Marie Naples Maber

Degrees: 4-year Certificate in Painting, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 6-year BFA awarded from University of Pennsylvania in concert with PAFA; MA History of Art from Temple University. Work: full-time faculty member: Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, New Jersey. Faculty member since 1993, teaching art history and studio art. Personal: painter, art historian, writer, and ceramist; married with two grown children.

Laura Madeleine

Laura’s main focus has become the Souls Shot Portrait Project. She serves as director and curator. It is a full time effort and the hope is, aside from the hope it will no longer be needed, that it will spread to other cities and communities.  Laura remains, also, a fine artist working in painted batik technique on silk. She was represented by the venerable Rosenfeld Gallery and now shows in various venues in Philadelphia and elsewhere. She has received many awards for her work over the years from Woodmere Art Museum, and many more institutions. Her series of batik paintings paired with ekphrastic poems called Waxing Poetic inspired the original song cycle In This Blue Room composed by Kile Smith and performed by Lyric Fest. She is a former designer and art director, receiving awards from Print, AIGA, and the Art Directors’ Club. She worked for several years as an illustrated map designer for the National Geographic Society. She teaches children and adults, when asked, and participates in outreach programs. Her finest creations are Claire, Charles, and Cole Pritchard.

Paula Mandel

Paula Mandel, a native of Philadelphia, received degrees in Fine Arts and Psychology from Temple University.  She worked in oils/mixed media for 30 years, creating psychological portraits. For more than a decade she has studied all methods of manipulating glass with internationally renowned artists and has morphed into a glass/mixed media sculptor. 

Mandel’s interactive sculptures based on toys are included in volume 1 of  Best in America: Glass Artists and Artisans. Along with multiple solo exhibitions, she has been invited to exhibit her work in numerous museum and gallery exhibitions including the Best of Philadelphia Glass Artists exhibition at the National Liberty Museum, Snyderman/Works Gallery, Women in Glass at the Wayne Art Center, Rosemont College, Drexel University and Philadelphia’s City Hall. Mandel, along with fellow artist Joan Myerson Shrager, has curated multiple exhibits in the area. In addition, the two artists co-founded and co-direct the nationally award-winning Philadelphia After-School: The Stained Glass Project: Windows That Open Doors, now in its 16th year. 

Website: paula-mandel.com | IG @paulamandel1 

Laurie Lamont Murray

The years spent as an architecturally trained interior designer are built into Laurie Lamont Murray’s paintings and metal sculptures. She becomes immersed in the interplay of shapes and colors, layers and line, creating work that is both geometric and gestural with an overriding sense of design. Laurie’s work has won numerous awards and is included in corporate and private collections throughout the United States. Laurie is a founding member of Pictor Gallery NYC in Chelsea.

Website - http://www.laurielamontmurray.com/

Nick Onyii Okore

Born 1978. Philadelphia-based. Abstract figurative and custom portraits. Ink, pastels, acrylic. Studied fine art. Kean University. New Jersey.

Website: onyiiartstudio.com

Heather Rippert

Heather Rippert, fine artist, living in Clearwater, Florida, has been painting and drawing from the time she could hold a pencil. Her masterful and sensitive watercolors explore the vast beauty of the natural world. Spiritual growth and development as a way of life are a major force in her creative expression. Walking through life, perpetually seeking the ‘lighted path’ is a theme that can be felt in her paintings. Her work dances between representational and atmospheric abstraction.

Website: heatherrippert.com

Belinda Strayhorn

I am a retired environmental services worker. After my responsibilities to family have somewhat diminished, I have found time to do what I love, make art.  In 2002 I received an AAS degree in advertising design at Delaware technical community college.  I worked for Austin signs in Camden Delaware for a short time.  Though my formal training is not in fine art, that is my preference.  I really am just now getting back into it.