"The light left his eyes. . . ."
This is the description of a young man as told by his grandmother. This is not the description of someone passing away. This is the description of the brother of a victim of gun violence. The brother that was the older brother, the best friend, the pal and guardian rolled into one. He went from a vibrant, fun loving, exuberant guy to one consumed by a grief that too many families experience.
This older brother, again trying to protect those younger than he was, was felled by a bullet from a drive by shooter a year after his dear brother.
The 2019-2020 portraits, whose exhibition was challenged by the shut downs due to the pandemic, are currently installed (creatively so as not to harm the historic building) in the sanctuary at St. Martins-in -the-Fields Episcopal Church in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia. A truly dedicated team of volunteers helped with the installation. The result is a presentation that makes the experience of viewing the portraits even more poignant. Interspersed with stained glass the portraits invite contemplation and meditation.
Thank you to Lisa Domenic, Helene Halstuch, Paula McFadden, and Anna Kocher for installing the portraits. Thanks also to James Kent from St. Martin’s for his guidance and help.
The portraits and exhibitions will once again be able to be experienced by more and more people thanks to the weakening of the pandemic and lifting of restrictions.
Visitors are welcome daily and during the month of June, every Wednesday, there are free concerts on the lawn outside the church with food and drink available. I was in attendance at last night’s wonderful concert and was able to speak with many, many visitors. It was clear that these souls in the exhibition are “speaking” to those who interact with the them. There were some tears, some donations, and cause for optimism as we reach people with a willingness to help with the fight to stop the violence.
To our brave family and friend participants, we are so grateful for your strength. To our artist participants we are so grateful for your passion and perseverance. We are so grateful to St. Martin’s Church, Charles, Santore Library, Main Line Art Center, Flourtown Presbyterian Church, and all the generous venues who are in line to host our exhibitions. We are making inroads.
Thank you to Lisa Harmon and Sonya Dixon for so eloquently telling their stories to the NBC10 interviewer, Derrick Cheston, and Elisa Abeloff for giving a thoughtful account of the artist experience.
Lisa Harmonn being interviewed by Derrick Cheston from NBC10
Sonya Dixon with Chip and Zakiyy’s Portraits at Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
Laura Madeleine June 3, 2021