PHILADELPHIA (November 20, 2024) — District Attorney Larry Krasner, representatives from Mural Arts Philadelphia, and co-victims of homicide gathered on Wednesday to unveil new artwork from the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Artist-in-Residence, Russell Craig.The unveiling also concludes Craig’s two-year residency with the DAO’s Crisis Assistance, Response, and Engagement for Survivors (CARES) Unit, which provides trauma-informed support and resources to co-victims of homicide.
Craig’s artwork celebrates the lives of Philadelphians lost to violent crime. Mural Arts Philadelphia will feature the newly created artwork banners at sites including LOVE Park, Philadelphia Family Court, the Municipal Services Building, the DAO, City Hall, and the Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice.
Craig, who spent his formative years in the foster care system, is a self-taught artist who began his artistic journey while incarcerated for nearly 10 years in state prison. Among his accolades, Craig has had his artwork exhibited at the Philadelphia African American Museum. His art has also been highlighted by news publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and The Philadelphia Inquirer. He also graduated from Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Restorative Justice Guild program and is a 2017 Right to Return Fellow and a 2018 Ford Foundation: Art for Justice Fellow.
“I would like to echo the words of Eric Smith Sr., who loss his son Eric Smith Jr. to gun violence. In referring to these portraits, he stated: People lost to gun violence are speaking.” He also explained that at his lowest, loneliest, and most hopeless, the DAO’s CARES Unit gave him hope, and that hope gave him strength to continue. We hope the collaborative work of Mural Arts and the DAO through these portraits and our ongoing support services will continue to give strength not only to these families impacted by gun violence but to others on their journey of healing from such traumatic loss.”
“Murals are larger than life. They surprise us when we turn the corner of a city street,” said Jane Golden, Executive Director of Mural Arts Philadelphia. “Their boldness and their content sweep us away with meaning. It was an honor to work with Russell Craig and the District Attorney’s Office on this project. And while today is certainly bittersweet, today also serves as a reminder that art can serve as a tool of compassion, empathy, and restoration.”
“Today is a great day, thanks to Godsent people like Ryan Goldberg, Melany Nelson, and Russell Craig—people that understand that real love and caring for others can keep broken people from being shattered,” said Eric Smith, Sr., the father of 23-year-old homicide victim Eric Smith, Jr. “I never thought I could have a great day again, because on January 8, 2022, the worst day of my life, was the day I lost my Junior. I also want to thank the people of the District Attorney’s CARES Unit, because when I was at my lowest, they lifted me up. And because they did more than care for me, my hope became strength.”
CONTACT:
Dustin Slaughter, [email protected]
The photos below are provided by Mural Arts Philadelphia for use by members of the news media.
