testimonials
Comments from family/friends of victims of gun violence, host venues, artists, and guests from our exhibitions
Guests who have attended our exhibitions
Photo from our 2021-22 New Jersey Chapter Exhibition
“So terribly sad-no matter how long the siege of violence continues. So important to honor the innocent victims this way. Thank you artists and families”
“We as community must shake the numbing statistics of gun violence and embrace the need to eradicate the culture of gun violence for the sake of humanity.”
“Deeply affecting in the presence of those lost.”
“Powerful (the art is beautiful)”
“Thank you to the artists /organizers for bringing the victims to life”
“What a wonderful and creative way to memorialize and give tribute to these people. Lives gone too soon!”
“Thank you for creating awareness on this gun violence epidemic.”
“This really shows how awful gun violence is by highlighting all the people's lives and how close most of them were to achieving their goals."
“I feel such heaviness in my heart - in my soul - looking into these faces robbed of their promise fulfilled - the loved ones robbed of their light. But, I am also inspired by the connections formed, the empathy and actions that follow.”
Photo from our 2023-2024 New Jersey Chapter Exhibition
“So moving…giving dignity to lives lost too soon, putting a face to daily news reports. An exhibition that one cannot forget. Ty to your synagogue for hosting it and opening it up to the public.”
“Powerful and moving-their lives mattered!!!!!!!”
“What a heartfelt tribute to the precious souls lost to violence. The art is deeply emotional and tells a story on its own. I will be sure to encourage others to come witness this exhibition. God Bless You as you carry out this work.”
“Thank you for healing”
“Such a powerful message, would like to see this travel worldwide”
“Beautiful, haunting, chilling, meaningful”
“Great tribute to the fallen. May they RIP.”
"These beautiful lives remind all of us of the power of love and creativity involving all of us in eliminating weapons of death and destruction from this beautiful world."
“Beauty from tragedy. So moved by this stunning collection of portraits.”
Photo from our 2017-2018 Exhibition
"A noble effort. Thank you for making each person real. The sense of loss is profound."
“The exhibit is powerful. To think of the souls of Beautiful people who had lives and families. Needless violence!”
"Thank you for bringing this to the forefront of our minds - may they all rest in peace."
"Beautiful tribute to beautiful souls. Thank you for bringing this very sad epidemic into a safe space and trying to end gun violence. Enough."
"Very moving. . . luckily we stumbled upon it at a church. Good setting, quiet, sovereign, difficult but important to experience. Glad I paused today."
"A step in awareness."
"Thank you for making every life feel special & matter."
"It is so important to see these victims as people who were loved and are missed by family, friends, and community."
“A heart and soul moving display.”
“[The portraits] portray so beautifully the much-loved person who is lost but through this work and the statements by the artists and the families, many of us who did not know them have now met and been moved by their too-short lives.”
"All these pictures are the voices of our children, of our family members whose lives were cut short by somebody who wanted to play god. And I'm so thankful that, not only are these portraits going to stay here, but that they will be traveling around so that people can see how very senseless this gun violence is."
"love the work; love to collaborate to bring peace to the community"
Families and friends of victims of gun violence
Family of David Paul Williams II standing in front of the portrait of David Paul Williams II by artist, Karen Ruggles for our 2021-2022 Philadelphia Exhibition.
“God bless you and all ❤.”
“All I can say again is thank you for always reaching back to assist the parents whom lost a child to murder. Each portrait is beautiful...Thank you.”
“Thank y'all also for sharing our story and everyone else's thanks for doing this for families like mine God Bless.”
“So very sad. As you walk around the room the sorrow builds, layer after layer.”
“Speechless! This is awesome! God bless.”
“You served their memories.”
"Thank you so much for keeping Damon's life story alive. with love, Keniza L."
"So moving. Beautifully represented."
"I'm so very happy with my painting. It shows his infectious smile.”
“Thank you for sharing her story.”
"This place is amazing. To see my brother's life has meant more than to just us. Our city needs healing and this place helps with that."
”Thank you so much. It hurts seeing my brother, Allen's portrait, but in some ways it brings me comfort knowing I'm keeping his spirit alive.”
“I was so pleased how I and my family were treated through the whole process of making my cousin a part of your project that I have been spreading the word about your project to other families. Your project is very much appreciated and needed. Thank you again for everything.”
"When an artist was told that the mother she worked with 'talked' to her son through his portrait and it made her feel so much better, the artist replied 'Thank you so much for sharing [this]. It's one of the best feelings I've ever had'".
"This is the first moment of joy since my brother's death."
artists
Artist, B. Douglas Smith with the family member of Quentin Rollins, portrait of Quentin Rollins from our 2019-2020 Exhibition.
“Thank you so much to Souls Shot for the work you do to bring awareness of so many lost to gun violence. As an artist, it was an honor to be a small part in keeping their memory alive for family and friends.”
—- Comment from artist, Beth Carson.
“This has been an incredible journey for me.”
—-Comment from artist, Lisa Wilde.
“Such an awesome expreince that I strongly reccomend taking part of in some form. Sometimes seems like a ‘how can I really make a difference’ situation with gun violence but after engaging and connecting with the victim’s family, it becomes so emotionally engrossing you cant help but feel like you’ve at least attempted to help heal something so completely broken. ”
“Thank you so much for the opportunity. My bond with Raymond's mother Lisa gave me a glimpse into his shortened life. His mother Lisa, is truly one of my heroes. This opportunity put me more in-tuned with my own life. Assessing what is really important and what isn't. Thank You”
—- Comment from artist, Mikel Elam.
“It is an honor to participate in this heartfelt project.”
—-Comment from artist, Paula Mandel.
Host venues from current & past exhibitions
Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields - Hosted our 2019-2020 Exhibition in June, 2021 | Portrait of Alan Christopher Gray
“The Souls Shot exhibit held in our church was perhaps one of the most moving artistic expressions on display that I have personally experienced. What impacted me the most was that I was standing side by side with family members viewing the portraits of their relatives. It gave me an opportunity to express my sorrow for their loss and for them to talk about their son, grandson, brother, nephew or cousin. Some wept and others smiled. The exhibit was very well attended by members of our community as well as those who normally wouldn’t walk through our doors. I was very proud of our church for its outreach and compassion for these victims and their families and for bringing awareness to the epidemic that is gun violence.”
—-Comment from Martha Agate
“‘We are beyond grateful to have had the Souls Shot Portrait Project here with us for the month of October. What a gift for so many! People have shared profound lessons they will not forget -- such as. they will never hear another news report of a gunshot victim without picturing a beloved son or daughter --- imaging their face and hearing the pain of their grieving family. This is the best incentive to work to change the situations that allow this to go on. May you experience the fruits of all you are doing!”
——Comment from Chestnut Hill College
Rowan College of South Jersey, Cumberland Campus - hosted our 2021-2022 NJ Chapter Exhibition in February 2022
" I will never forget being in Widener Hall for the opening of the exhibition last fall: beholding the art and hearing the moving testimonies. It’s an extraordinary mission that has to move even the heart of God." interim pastor, The Presbyterian Church Of Chestnut Hill
“We are so grateful to all our partners who have contributed invaluably to our goal of increasing awareness, educating and advocating for “an end to gun violence” in our city. Working together is a gift and a powerful witness of our greater need to collaborate as individuals and groups for the good of all. Hope you know how much good has come from the many classes and visitors who have gazed upon and reflected on the souls captured in these portraits and works of art.”
“It is a deep and powerful experience to dance with these paintings and the presence of these stories while they have been on display here at Allen's Lane in the dance room. To keep the life force flowing through dance in an honor to share with such beautiful works.”
—-Allen’s Lane Dance Studio
“It is always my pleasure to be able to support such a meaningful project. Souls Shot is a remarkable difference maker helping us appreciate the humanity of those lost to gun violence and those who are survivors. The grief and loss ripples out to family, friends and communities, in ways that the news just doesn't capably portray. I'm always struck by the reverence I feel for the portraits.”
Comment from volunteer, Charlie Karl