Join us for the opening reception of a new visual arts exhibition - Trickled Down Decadence: Screams For Hope, curated by Wanda Best. The theme of this group exhibition is preventing youth gun violence. Works in this exhibit were created by a range of established, emerging, self-taught, and student artists.

Featured artists include: Beverly Anderson, Blaqson, Christopher Spinelli, Entropy, Eric Grandison, Julia Shaw, Kenneth Reams, Luis Caraos, Zahied Mohammed, Dahlia Rogers, Shyla Idris, Wanda Ealey, Carlton Williams, Sabrina Lamb

Curatorial Statement: "This exhibition serves as an education about the dire need to strengthen gun control laws. It is a cry for help to stop the decadence that is taking over this society with youth killing youth. It is our hope that the exhibition moves someone to hear the screams of those who lost their lives to gun violence and stand up to be a part of the solution to stop this genocide.

According to a Pew Research Center analysis of the latest annual mortality statistics procured from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of children and teens killed by gunfire in the United States increased by 50% between 2019 and 2021.

Policy-makers can help prevent youth gun violence by implementing proactive, evidence-based interventions. Gun violence prevention policies can prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands. Policy-makers must take responsible action to keep our youth safe by using data-driven strategies."

Cover Art Creds: Blaqson, Lead Astray, 2024, Acrylic painting, 24 x 30 in.

JCAL acknowledges support for its visual arts season from Con Edison