Thanksgiving 2021
We are thankful for the brilliantly talented artists and the gracious, brave loved ones of victims of gun violence that have, together, created portraits that continue to awe and inspire all who see them.
In the exhibition that is currently on view at Widener Hall at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, we wanted to point out two interactive portraits. The portrait of Donte’ Lee Johnson, “Endangered”, by Ann Hartzell, incorporates a QR code in the actual artwork. Scanning it will take the viewer to a video of Donte’ speaking at the second exhibition of portraits, two years ago. The presaging of his address, labeling himself an “endangered species” is chilling and heartbreaking. He spoke of his brother Charles, killed years before. Sadly, his family is not alone in losing more than one family member to senseless shootings.
Endangered Species, Portrait of Donte’ Lee Johnson by Ann Price Hartzell
QR code from the portrait of Donte’
The other portrait, that of Jayden Lucas, “Guardian, My Son, My Love, My Friend.” by Stacy Kent Wyckoff, is accompanied by a book that she created out of the many sketches she drew and many thoughts she jotted down while getting to know Jayden through interaction with his family.
My Guardian. My Son, My Love, My Friend, Portrait of Jayden Lucas by Stacy Kent Wyckoff
We hope you will have the opportunity to see this exhibition in person as it travels for the next year in and around Philadelphia. The schedule of exhibitions is on our website here.
We are also so thankful that our New Jersey chapter is finally active with the first exhibition at the beautiful gallery in the College Center at Rowan College of South Jersey, Gloucester campus. This collection of portraits will also travel for one year throughout New Jersey.
We are grateful to be a small part of the daunting effort to find a solution to the violence; to work towards peace and cooperation; to a day when we no longer have portraits to create.
A Brilliant Life Cut Short, Portrait of Kevin Miller by Eoin Kinnarney