HARRISBURG, PA — Lt. Governor Austin Davis and six Governor’s Advisory Commissions gathered on Wednesday to mark Gun Violence Awareness Month with the opening of the Souls Shot Portrait Project exhibit at the Pennsylvania State Library. Joined by survivors, artists, and policymakers, the event honored victims of gun violence and recommitted to efforts to make communities safer.
The Souls Shot Portrait Project pairs artists with families of gun violence victims to create portraits that memorialize the individuals lost. The traveling exhibit has been on display at the library since June 4 and will remain open to the public through June 30, free of charge.
“In many counties across the Commonwealth, gun violence is down, thanks to the good work of state and local law enforcement, as well as community-based violence prevention organizations,” said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, who leads the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). “However, there is much more work to be done. Gun violence isn’t just a Philadelphia or Pittsburgh problem – it’s a Pennsylvania problem, and it’s uniquely an American problem. But it’s a problem we can, and must, do something about.”
The event featured addresses from Davis and other leaders who emphasized the importance of incorporating personal stories into policymaking. “Bringing art and storytelling to our policy influencers transforms personal narratives into catalysts for collective progress,” said Ashley Walkowiak, Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women.
The exhibit also highlighted the disproportionate impact of gun violence on Black Americans. “Black Americans are thirty-one times more likely to die by gun homicide than our white counterparts,” added Sierra Dunn, Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs, underscoring the urgency of addressing systemic inequities.
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency is now working to establish the state’s new Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The office will implement evidence-based strategies aimed at reducing gun-related deaths, injuries, and crime.
The Souls Shot Portrait Project is a poignant example of how art can drive connection and healing while amplifying the voices of those affected by gun violence. “The project communicates a lasting narrative of a powerful and heartbreaking story,” said Karl Blischke, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
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