Art Revealing the Gunfire Epidemic

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Art Revealing the Gunfire Epidemic

Soul Box Logo and Link back to main website

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Experience the Online Exhibit

The Soul Boxes in this photo represent the number of people who have been killed by gun violence in just one month.

Search the Soul Boxes

Soul Boxes representing one month of gunfire deaths.

Each month more Soul Boxes will be added, until this online exhibit represents the number of lives lost in one year.

The art and messages on Soul Boxes are the expressions of individuals from across the country. Some honor specific victims by name.

The current posting of over 20,000 Soul Boxes in this online exhibit represents people in the U.S. killed by gun violence, defense, accidents or suicide.

More info and videos about other Soul Box Project exhibits.

For statistics about gunfire deaths and injuries visit GunViolenceArchive.org.

SoulBoxProject.org

Make a Box

Support the Project

0 Soul Boxes
Created to Date

Each origami Soul Box has been folded to hold space for one life lost or injured by gunfire.

0
2021 Deaths and Injuries as of 07/22/21
0 Soul Boxes
Created to Date

Each origami Soul Box has been folded to hold space for one life lost or injured by gunfire.

0
2021 Deaths and Injuries as of 07/22/21
Bar graph shows more deaths & injuries in 2020 than 2019

The art and messages are the expressions of individuals from across the country. Some honor specific victims by name.

The current posting of over 20,000 Soul Boxes in this online exhibit represents people in the U.S. killed by gun violence, defense, accidents or suicide.

More info and videos about other Soul Box Project exhibits.

For statistics about gunfire deaths and injuries visit GunViolenceArchive.org.

SoulBoxProject.org

Make a Box

Support the Project

This Loss We Carry

Art Revealing the Gunfire Epidemic

We welcome your comments and questions.

    How to find a name [1:37]

    Search by typing part of a name for possible matches or the full name to limit results. Name and age options will appear in a green box below the Search box. Click/touch a name to go to the proper panel outlined in red. Click/touch the image to enlarge. Use the “hand” tool, cursor, or your finger (depending on device) to explore the panel of 98 Soul Boxes to find the named Box.

    More navigation and search tips:

    • Click again to exit the enlargement. On a mobile click the x in the upper right corner.
    • Click outside the panel image to return to the exhibit.
    • Want to get back to a Soul Box without a name? Note a nearby name and search with it when you return.

    More than half of Americans have been impacted by gun violence in some way. — Everytown.org

    As a parent this display is so impactful. It makes me think each person who made a box has felt the pain of a lost soul. Every knock on the door, every phone call, you pray it’s not news like this. No more.

    98 Soul Boxes. Panel 295
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    98 Soul Boxes. Panel 60

    There’s lots of ways to protest, tell people what I think they should do. But Soul Box doesn’t do that. Soul Box just says, “Look what’s happening; let us show you why we need to do something.” It’s been cathartic for me. It’s made me feel like I’m doing something about it. — Linda K., survivor

    98 Soul Boxes. Panel 35

    Those Soul Boxes with beautiful imagery and artwork hold space for gunfire victims whose names we’ll never know.

    In about the time it takes to fold a Soul Box, another person has died by gunfire in the U.S.

    Every Soul Box holds space for a single life. You can fold a Soul Box to add your voice. The very act of folding can also provide solace.

    Soul Boxes are as uniquely beautiful, imperfect, and varied as the people they represent. Each one counts. Each one has a place in our exhibits.

    Women in the U.S. are 21 times more likely to be killed by guns than women in other high-income countries.

    —Grinshteyn and Hemenway, Preventive Medicine (2019)

    Return to The Soul Box Project Home Page 

    The
    Soul Box Project
    Guest Book

    Please let us know how this exhibit spoke to you.

    We will respond to your questions and concerns by email.

    Comments are moderated and will be released after approved for public viewing.

    Please sign our Guest Book and let us know you were here.

     
     
     
     
     
     
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    19 entries.
    Linda from Kingston, MA wrote on March 21, 2021 at 4:32 pm
    The visual impact of the numbers; first in SO many deaths and injuries represented and second in SO many people taking time to fold boxes to honor the victims and bring attention to the gunfire epidemic. Thank you for creating this project.
    The visual impact of the numbers; first in SO many deaths and injuries represented and second in SO many people taking time to fold boxes to honor the victims and bring attention to the gunfire epidemic. Thank you for creating this project.
    Bev from Portland wrote on March 20, 2021 at 8:21 pm
    Beautiful Boxes... Beautiful Souls. ❤️
    Beautiful Boxes...
    Beautiful Souls.
    ❤️
    Poppy Dully from Portland wrote on October 29, 2020 at 7:35 pm
    Thank you for this remarkable exhibit. I continue to be amazed by the scope and ambitions of The Soul Box Project. You are doing an outstanding job of keeping this important issue in people’s minds and hearts.
    Thank you for this remarkable exhibit. I continue to be amazed by the scope and ambitions of The Soul Box Project. You are doing an outstanding job of keeping this important issue in people’s minds and hearts.
    Anne Smith from Portland, OR wrote on October 27, 2020 at 3:27 am
    Absolutely incredible. It's awesome to see the love and care that you have taken with each and every Soul Box. This is a beautiful memorial to lives lost to gun violence as well as a critical call to action. Thank you!
    Absolutely incredible. It's awesome to see the love and care that you have taken with each and every Soul Box. This is a beautiful memorial to lives lost to gun violence as well as a critical call to action. Thank you!
    Rachel Stevens from Portland wrote on October 21, 2020 at 4:21 am
    Extraordinary exhibit. So glad it’s online for people to see. The photo of the man on front of a month’s worth of gun deaths had me absolutely astounded.
    Extraordinary exhibit. So glad it’s online for people to see. The photo of the man on front of a month’s worth of gun deaths had me absolutely astounded.
    Linda Sladek from Portland OR wrote on October 20, 2020 at 12:13 am
    Powerful to see many boxes together- a small part of the total tragedy. Then zooming in to see each individual victim, and the artistry of each box made it personal. Gratitude for this project which is more meaningful than ever in 2020.
    Powerful to see many boxes together- a small part of the total tragedy. Then zooming in to see each individual victim, and the artistry of each box made it personal. Gratitude for this project which is more meaningful than ever in 2020.
    Peggy Wenrick from Tucson wrote on October 18, 2020 at 7:42 pm
    This online exhibit is so moving and so accessible. Thanks to all SoulBoxers everywhere for creating each Box and each panel in honor of people affected directly or indirectly by the gunfire epidemic.
    This online exhibit is so moving and so accessible. Thanks to all SoulBoxers everywhere for creating each Box and each panel in honor of people affected directly or indirectly by the gunfire epidemic.
    Kathryn Fitch from Portland wrote on October 18, 2020 at 2:09 pm
    Oh my, your website is so well done. We step in, in order to feel the pain of losing one beautiful human being and then we step back to take in the enormity of the monthly count of lost lives, all held by the beauty of the Boxes and the collage of Box next to Box. Bravo!
    Oh my, your website is so well done. We step in, in order to feel the pain of losing one beautiful human being and then we step back to take in the enormity of the monthly count of lost lives, all held by the beauty of the Boxes and the collage of Box next to Box. Bravo!
    Marilyn Schulz from Lake Oswego wrote on October 18, 2020 at 1:56 pm
    This is VERY impressive. An amazing and beautiful accomplishment.
    This is VERY impressive. An amazing and beautiful accomplishment.
    Ronnah Metz from LA CROSSE wrote on October 17, 2020 at 1:46 pm
    The videos and photos seem an effective alternative to live exhibits as I was moved by the sheer volume of Boxes representing lives lost. I'm impressed that the Boxes are cataloged in such a way that we can view the panels clearly and do a search by name.
    The videos and photos seem an effective alternative to live exhibits as I was moved by the sheer volume of Boxes representing lives lost. I'm impressed that the Boxes are cataloged in such a way that we can view the panels clearly and do a search by name.
    Sue wrote on October 16, 2020 at 3:54 am
    The immensity of the crisis becomes personal with Soul Boxes. Thank you to each person who created a box, named a loved one, stitched them together, and remembered.
    The immensity of the crisis becomes personal with Soul Boxes. Thank you to each person who created a box, named a loved one, stitched them together, and remembered.
    Sara Jane Morelock from Lake Oswego wrote on October 16, 2020 at 2:33 am
    After working on several panels with a friend I am always overwhelmed by what the project represents.
    After working on several panels with a friend I am always overwhelmed by what the project represents.
    Bill Phillips from Albany, New York wrote on October 16, 2020 at 1:46 am
    What a powerful and moving way to express the enormous loss of human life gun violence has inflicted across our country. Thank you to everyone who has helped to bring this project to life.
    What a powerful and moving way to express the enormous loss of human life gun violence has inflicted across our country. Thank you to everyone who has helped to bring this project to life.
    Lily DiGiacomo from Sacramento wrote on October 16, 2020 at 1:40 am
    A beautiful exhibit, breathtaking in its concern and scope.
    A beautiful exhibit, breathtaking in its concern and scope.
    Michelle from Tampa wrote on October 16, 2020 at 1:25 am
    Thank you for bringing attention to such a worthy cause. Gun violence is senseless and we need to continue to honor the victims and disregard those who yield the weapons.
    Thank you for bringing attention to such a worthy cause. Gun violence is senseless and we need to continue to honor the victims and disregard those who yield the weapons.
    Eli from Washington, DC wrote on October 16, 2020 at 12:52 am
    What a powerful idea. Love it!
    What a powerful idea. Love it!
    Rachel Porter from Riverside wrote on October 16, 2020 at 12:26 am
    Powerful imagery and beautiful way to experience these pieces of art - virtually!
    Powerful imagery and beautiful way to experience these pieces of art - virtually!
    Liam Niehus-Staab from Boulder wrote on October 15, 2020 at 5:39 pm
    This exhibit is so emotionally powerful. I really hope this helps drive the movement for greater gun control and safety!
    This exhibit is so emotionally powerful. I really hope this helps drive the movement for greater gun control and safety!
    Ellen from Portland wrote on October 15, 2020 at 5:12 pm
    What a beautiful, meaningful exhibit. Thank you.
    What a beautiful, meaningful exhibit. Thank you.