A Community Conversation on How to Reduce Gun Violence
Who: a Community Conversation during an art show, Guns, Artists Respond
What: a community gathering to discuss the ramifications of gun violence, to see a visual arts exhibition and ask whether it can affect change, and what kind of change do we want to see
Where: Swords into Plowshares Peace Center and Gallery (SIP), 33 E. Adams at Woodward St., Detroit, MI
Why: Change is sought in response to gun violence in our homes, our schools and on our streets
When: Saturday, May 19, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., free and open to the public.
Contact: Clara Lawrence, Swords into Plowshares Peace Center and Gallery, 313-963-7575
Margaret Parker, Women’s Caucus for Art, Michigan Chapter, 734 663-1276
An exciting exhibition in the Detroit area, Guns: Artists Respond, has inspired the show’s organizers, the Women’s Caucus for Art, Michigan Chapter (WCAMI) and Swords into Plowshares Peace Center and Gallery (SIP), to sponsor a Community Conversation, Saturday, May 19th, from 2pm to 4pm. (still the right time?)
Community members from across the political spectrum are invited to share their views on the role and impact of art created in response to divisive public issues. It is free and open to the public.
“Many of the pieces in the show come from artists’ personal experience with gun violence,” said Margaret Parker, exhibition co-director for WCAMI. The mission of the Women’s Caucus for Art is to support women in the visual arts and create community through art, education and social activism. The aim of this show is to give artists a chance to express their views on gun violence and to offer an environment open to growth and understanding, especially because gun violence is experienced very differently in different communities in and around Detroit.
The Community Conversation will include a short performance of monologues based on real life stories of gun violence. “The Know Gun Show”, produced by Catherine Zudak (Pass the Hat Promotions) has been adapted to complement the fine art pieces in the show. A facilitated discussion among artists, advocates, students and community members will follow the performance. Several artists with work in the show will be on hand to share the inspiration for their art, advocates from Moms Demand Action, Physicians for the Prevention of Gun Violence, and SIP Gallery representatives will provide brief introductions to their organizations and efforts.
“Standing still, in front of a powerful piece of art gives you the opportunity to process slowly, in your own way, a traumatic and life-changing event. Visual art does this in an intimate and profound way,” Parker said. One example is a piece titled, “Elephant in the Room: A Response
In Peace,
Clara Lawrence, Director
Swords into Plowshares Peace Center & Gallery
33 East Adams
Detroit, MI 48226
cell: 248.863.7705
313.963.7575