Using Art to Help Prevent Gun Violence
By Angel M Brown
Gun violence is personal for me. I lost my father to it. It’s a pain that shaped the way I see the world and deepened my passion for healing and advocacy. So, when I heard about an initiative where Mecklenburg County partnered with the Arts and Science Council to use art as a vehicle for gun violence prevention, I knew I needed to learn more — and share the story.
The County commissioned five local artists to create visual works centered on prevention, awareness and hope. These pieces were placed in recreation centers throughout the city, not just as decoration, but as conversation starters — particularly for young people who often find themselves at the center of this crisis.
Deputy County Manager Leslie Johnson shared how this project came to life. After the pandemic, a community resilience task force recommended leveraging art as a tool for education and healing. “We weren’t optimizing the voices and talents of local artists,” Johnson said. “So, we began to explore how art could help us tell stories — especially around public health.”
After conversations with the Mecklenburg County Health Department, one issue stood out: violence. Not just the kind that makes headlines, but the kind that leaves behind deep-rooted trauma in families and neighborhoods. Johnson and her team saw an opportunity. “Gun violence is one of the most significant health issues in Mecklenburg County,” she explained. “Not just because of injury or death, but because of the ripple effect of harm.”
The county partnered with the Arts and Science Council to issue a call for local artists. A panel reviewed submissions and selected five pieces that reflected the theme of violence prevention in powerful and diverse ways. The result? These five images that now hang in recreation centers across Charlotte:
- Revolution Sports Academy and Park – “Out of the Streets, Into the Fields” by Abel Jackson
- Arbor Glen Recreation Center – “Inherent Dignity” by Ingrid Swenson
- West Charlotte Recreation Center – “How Many More?” by John Hairston
- Sugaw Creek Recreation Center – “Growth Not Guns” by Osiris Rain
- Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center – “Seeding Hope” by Marcus Kiser
I visited three of the five art pieces. The one that stayed with me the most was Abel Jackson’s piece — “Out of the Streets, Into the Fields” — a piece that centers sports as a protective outlet. Growing up in Detroit, I turned to sports to stay grounded. Playing sports gave me structure, purpose and a way out. Seeing that message reflected in artwork reminded me how vital these community spaces are.
John Hairston’s piece, “How Many More?” also left a deep impression. Hairston explained that his work came from personal experience. “I’ve lost several loved ones to gun violence,” he said. “Starting when I was in eighth grade. Once you experience that kind of loss, the world never feels as safe again.”
His painting features somber children, glowing candles and cracked glass. “The cracks represent how our lives are shattered after losing someone,” he said. “The candles are about hope and remembrance.” The title came from a protest sign he saw that said: “How many more of us have to die before something changes?”
That question remains.
The art project also served as a centerpiece for the County’s Peace Builders Youth Summit, an event held earlier this year under the theme, “Violence Free Begins With Me.” The artists met with teens to discuss their work and facilitate deeper conversations about violence, resilienceand what it means to be part of a safe and thriving community.
“These are the future grown-ups,” Hairston said. “There’s a raw, unrefined power in young people to evoke change. Hopefully, they can figure out what we haven’t.”
Johnson echoed that hope. “Art sparks reflection and discussion — and that’s where change starts,” she said. “We want this project to expand. We’ve even begun thinking about how to include adult voices and intergenerational conversations. This impacts everyone, from age 8 to 80.”
There are no easy fixes when it comes to gun violence. But art gives us a place to start — through storytelling, shared emotion and collective vision. As someone who knows what it feels like to lose someone, I’m grateful for spaces like this that remind us that we’re not alone, and that healing — while not always immediate — is still possible.
This project doesn’t just paint a picture of the pain. It plants seeds of hope. And we need both.