New art installation raises awareness of victims of gun violence
CONCORD, CA — Fro Schmidt of the aRt Cottage in downtown Concord is honored to present an important installation of more than 800 pieces from the Soul Box Project. This ongoing national community art project reveals the growing number of victims of gunfire violence (including accidents and suicides) in the United States.
Each hand-folded, 3-inch square, origami-style paper box carries the name of a victim and/or a message of hope or protest. These Soul Boxes will be on display July 6-21.
Project organizers from groups like the Diablo Valley chapter of Moms Demand Action collect Soul Boxes from their communities to bring to multiple public spaces across the country.
“This project really shows how the power of art can raise awareness and affect change about vital issues we face as a community,” says Schmidt, owner of the aRt Cottage. “Anybody can make their own Soul Box and submit it to the project.”
Several members of the Concord Art Association volunteered to help her set up a unique display. “After being here for the month of July, these boxes will travel on to Washington, D.C., to be part of a huge national installation with over 200,000 Soul Boxes this fall,” she adds.
Eight days of lives lost
According to data from Every Town for Gun Safety, more than 100 Americans are shot and killed every day. This Soul Box exhibit represents eight days of lives lost.
Portland artist Leslie Lee started the project because she wanted to take action after the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas. She thinks many people find it easy to dismiss America’s climbing death toll because the sheer scale is incomprehensible. She also believes our gunfire epidemic needed a dynamic visual to reach more hearts and minds.
By creating massive displays of Soul Boxes, one for every U.S. gunfire victim, she wants everyone to really see the statistics in a visceral way.
“When people come face to face with thousands and thousands of handmade Soul Boxes, maybe they’ll understand the enormity of the problem and take action,” says Lee. “Those actions may impact a wide range of issues, from gun safety and education to legislation and mental health. Those actions will help cause a shift in our nation’s gun culture.”
Lee notes that the Soul Box Project joins a tradition of powerful community art projects. “The AIDS Memorial Quilt project in the 1980s helped change the trajectory of another epidemic. It showed the numbers. But it also put names and faces on the victims. I know we can have the same impact,” she says.
The aRt Cottage, located at 2238 Mt. Diablo St., will host a public reception 2-4 p.m. Saturday, July 10. The free event will celebrate the Soul Box Project as well as the July/August art show “Land, Air & Sea Scapes.” While at the gallery, anyone can create and decorate a Soul Box to add to the exhibit. Visit artcottage.info for details.
Lisa Fulmer
Lisa Fulmer is a mixed media artist, Concord Art Association board member and founder of MadeinConcord.com. She also consults with local artists on self-promotion and personal branding.