PHILADELPHIA — District Attorney Larry Krasner, along with representatives from Mural Arts Philadelphia and families impacted by homicide, unveiled a new collection of artwork on Wednesday that honors victims of violent crime. The unveiling marks the conclusion of Russell Craig’s two-year residency with the District Attorney’s Office CARES Unit, which supports co-victims of homicide with trauma-informed resources.
The artwork, created by Craig, celebrates the lives of Philadelphians lost to violence and will be displayed across prominent city locations, including LOVE Park, City Hall, and the Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice. Mural Arts Philadelphia, known for its large-scale public art projects, will feature the banners as a tribute to healing and remembrance.
Craig, a self-taught artist who began creating art during his nearly 10-year incarceration, has earned national recognition for his work. His art has been exhibited at the Philadelphia African American Museum and featured by outlets such as The New York Times and The Washington Post. Craig is also an alumnus of Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Restorative Justice Guild program and a recipient of several prestigious fellowships, including the Ford Foundation’s Art for Justice Fellowship.
During the unveiling, Eric Smith Sr., whose son Eric Smith Jr. was killed by gun violence, reflected on the significance of the portraits. “People lost to gun violence are speaking,” he said. Smith credited the District Attorney’s CARES Unit for giving him hope in the aftermath of his son’s death. “When I was at my lowest, they lifted me up,” he said.
Jane Golden, Executive Director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, praised the collaboration, emphasizing the transformative power of public art. “Murals are larger than life. They surprise us, sweep us away with meaning, and serve as tools of compassion, empathy, and restoration,” she said.
Craig’s residency and the resulting artwork stand as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of gun violence while offering a path toward healing for those affected.