A New Art Against Violence Project from DRAW IT OUT

DRAW IT OUT, a project of Cleveland School Remembers, a chapter of Brady United Against Gun Violence, invites you to join in its San Joaquin Soul Box Project, dedicated to using art to build a safer community by honoring those damaged by gun violence and raising awareness of the impacts of gun violence on us all.  Draw It Out's project is a variation on the original Soul Box project out of Portland.  You can learn about that project here.

How YOU can get involved.

At Soul Box workshops you'll learn how to make origami Soul Boxes then decorate them to commemorate victims of gun violence -- those killed, those injured physically or emotionally, those impacted by the loss of loved ones, and those overwhelmed by the escalation of gun violence that seems to have overtaken our society.

Workshops will be scheduled at various locations throughout the year (through May 2024).  Materials to make and decorate the boxes will be provided.  You can also bring a small picture to put on the outside of your box, or a special memento to put inside your box.

All Soul Box Workshops will be free.

Soul Boxes will be collected and displayed throughout the community to raise awareness of how profound the impact of gun violence is in San Joaquin.

Each Soul Box will represent a victim of gun violence.

Inside the box you can place memories -- what's important to remember about this victim?  how were they damaged?

When you know who you want to commemorate with your Soul Box, please take a little time to think about what you'd like others to know about this person.  Maybe you can find a clipping or, sadly, an obituary that tells the story.  Or you can download the form below and use it in preparing your memory before the workshop.  Bringing a small picture to attach to the outside of their Soul Box can also be appropriate.