Philadelphia unveils artwork honoring victims of violent crime as artist-in-residence ends tenure

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PHILADELPHIA — District Attorney Larry Krasner, along with representatives from Mural Arts Philadelphia and families affected by homicide, unveiled a new collection of artworks honoring victims of violent crime on Wednesday. The disclosure marks the end of Russell Craig’s two-year residency with the District Attorney’s 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 in 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 present 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 gained national recognition for his work. His art has been exhibited at the African American Museum in Philadelphia 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 armed violence, reflected on the meaning of the portraits. “People lost to gun violence are speaking out,” he said. Smith credited the district attorney’s CARES Unit for giving him hope in the wake 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 with meaning and serve as tools of compassion, empathy and restoration,” she said.

Craig’s residency and resulting artwork is a poignant reminder of the lasting impact of gun violence while providing a path to healing for those affected.