“Canvases of Courage:” A Screening and Discussion on Art in Social Justice

Join us for an evening addressing the role of artistic expression in social justice. In conjunction with our current exhibition of work by Criminal Justice activist and artist Jesse Krimes Deus ex Machina, the Leonard Pearlstein gallery will screen the short-documentary “Canvases of Courage”, Directed by Gerard Bush & Christopher Renz, and produced by creative director of Art for Amnesty, Marvin Bing. The documentary follows the journey of celebrated artists from around the world including Krimes, who created works of art in an effort to raise the visibility of unique, global stories of human courage in the face of persecution and intolerance. Set in Post-Katrina New Orleans this documentary profiles world-renowned artists, humanitarians, human rights activists, and prisoners of conscience including Albert Woodfox (the last remaining incarcerated member of “The Angola-3”) Douglass Miles, Jerome Lagarrigue, Katie Yamasaki, Sophia Dawson, Hebru Brantley and others.

A panel discussion with question and answer will follow the screening. The panel will be moderated by the Director of the Kal and Lucille Rudman Institute for Entertainment Industry Studies, Karen Curry. The discussion will feature professional artists and activists involved with the “Canvases of Courage” project: Creative Director of Arts for Amnesty and Executive Producer of “Canvases of Courage” Marvin Bing, Director of “Canvases of Courage” Gerard Bush, Founder and Executive Director of the Philadelphia Mural Arts Philadelphia Jane Golden, and two artists included in the documentary Jesse Krimes and Jerome Lagarrigue. Jesse Krimes’ exhibition Deus ex Machina is on view now at the Leonard Pearlstein Gallery thru March 13 2016.