Artful Souls + Liberated Voices
A virtual exhibition featuring Ohio Artists for Pretrial Justice
Artist: Caitlin Cartwright
Artist: Hannah Jones
Artist: Yorel Warr
Artist: Alek Shabazz
Artist: Aimee Wissman
Artist: Michael Coppage
Artist: Robin Robinson
[ABOUT THE EXHIBIT]
We invited 16 Ohio artists, writers and filmmakers to reflect on racial justice + pretrial justice — and (re)imagine their communities rooted in structural wellbeing for all.
What we got back was revolutionary.
[ARTIST SPOTLIGHT]
Ingrid Woode
In this understated (yet deeply moving) documentary short, Ingrid Woode invites violinist Preston Bell Charles III to describe a pivotal incident in his life — the night he was racially profiled and unjustly arrested by police on his doorstep after returning home from a performance. The film’s title, inspired by Nat King Cole’s song “Nature Boy,” draws rich parallels to Preston’s story and soul.
What’s art got to do with pretrial justice?
Art plays a significant role for all of us at PJI, as we engage in the deeply personal, soul-baring work of our racial equity journey. Art nourishes us; it challenges us. Art gives us new ways of looking at ourselves, our culture, and the systems we are seeking to transform.
In our work with advocates in Ohio, we’ve also found that artists are among the most creative solution-seekers driving change at the local level. These “artivists” are the storytellers of their communities — and their work serves as a mirror to help us reflect on who/what we truly value.
To curate Artful Souls + Liberated Voices, we put out a call to Ohio artists — including those impacted by the legal system — inviting them to explore pretrial justice through a racial equity lens. Over 100 artists applied; and we commissioned 16 pieces for the inaugural exhibit.
Whether you hail from the Buckeye State or beyond, we hope you’ll be moved by these artists’ collective expressions of urgency and hope — and find ways to support life-affirming alternatives to mass incarceration wherever you call home.
