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Wear Orange : An Art Exhibit

The MA chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is seeking visual art submissions by artists across the country including work by survivors ** of gun violence. 

**A survivor is anyone who has personally experienced gun violence—whether you have witnessed an act of gun violence, been threatened or wounded with a gun, or had someone you know and care for wounded or killed. This can include but is not limited to gun homicides, gun suicides, domestic violence involving a gun and unintentional shootings. 

Wear Orange : An Art Exhibition is an Easthampton online arts exhibition addressing the epidemic of gun violence in the United States. Artists working in any media are encouraged to apply. Accepted artwork will be on display June-July 2021. There is no submission fee or commission on work sold through this show. The primary goal is to expose the depth and breadth of gun violence and examine its impact.  

***BIPOC artists are strongly encouraged to apply***

Orange has been the defining color of the gun violence prevention movement nationwide. Orange is the color that Hadiya Pendleton’s friends wore in her honor when she was shot and killed in Chicago at the age of 15 — just one week after performing at President Obama’s 2nd inaugural parade in 2013. 

“Our nation’s gun homicide rate is more than 25 times the average of other developed countries. It doesn’t have to be this way. Wearing orange isn’t about the “gun debate” or “choosing a side” — it’s about ending gun violence and saving lives.” (Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America)

The virtual art exhibit coincides with the national observance, Wear Orange 2021, June 4-6. This year the  Massachusetts Chapter of Moms Demand is using artistic expression as the platform to celebrate individual and community resiliency in the face of gun violence. 

Wear Orange: An Art Exhibit is supported by the Easthampton Cultural Council, Mass Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and in partnership with Easthampton City Arts. There will be other programs in Easthampton and Springfield during June.

Moms Demand Action is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country and has a volunteer chapter in every state and Washington, D.C. It works not only for gun safety measures, but also looks at the root causes of gun violence in our communities. For more information visit www.WearOrangeSummerJam.com

Artist and organizer Doris W. Madsen will be highlighting and curating groupings of selected artists via a takeover of the Easthampton City Arts Instagram account. The exhibition will be promoted through Easthampton City Arts networks, social media and Massachusetts news outlets. Press releases will go out prior to the exhibition going public.

This post was written by Doris W. Madsen