It’s Too Much

On the morning I was leaving to pick up the rental van to transport the portraits from the Philadelphia area exhibition to the State Capitol the radio informed me that a four year old boy had been shot and killed. 

It’s too much. 

While installing the exhibition I met an artist from the Harrisburg area who told me two of her family members had been shot and killed.

It’s too much. 

I answered a call the other day from a mother who wants to participate in the Souls Shot Portrait Project. She has lost two sons. 

It’s too much.

Another mother and daughter lost their son and brother and, unimaginably, were shot themselves as they attended a candle light vigil in his honor.  We will be honoring three members of one family.

It’s too much. 

It is hard not to get discouraged. I drive a van full of portraits and I talk to them, the souls in the artworks riding in the back of the van. I apologize. I tell them I hope they are ok. I apologize again. It is shameful, shameful, that we, as a country, a state, a community, cannot address this emergency, this public health crisis, this crisis largely caused by established systemic policies of inequity. 

Please look at these souls and let them goad you to take action. Please let the loved ones who share their stories with our artists, and allow us to create art, inspire you to take action. 

Let our portraits speak to you.  Be their voice. 

Written by Laura Madeleine | Executive Director for the Souls Shot Portrait Project

Portraits of Jah’sun Ahmad Patton by Caroline  Stoughton and Hassan Wood and family by Warren Keyser over a table with information about the Souls Shot Portrait Project at the State Capitol in Harrisburg, PA. 

Learn more about our current exhibitions here.