PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A historic home in Germantown has a track record of social advocacy that began during slavery. Every Juneteenth it continues this legacy by shedding light on issues affecting the community.
This year a powerful art exhibition takes center stage.
The Germantown Mennonite Church, home of the Germantown Women’s Club, sits in the shadow of the historic Johnson House, a place where enslaved people found shelter and help from abolitionists on their journey to freedom.
These two locations share a storied history of advocacy during and after slavery.
“They were actually quietly advocating for rights, but specifically in all social areas, education, job opportunities after slavery was over, supporting the elderly and making sure the young had an education,” said Cornelia Swinson, executive director of the Johnson House Historic Site. .
CBS News Philadelphia
In keeping with the theme of advocating for social issues in the community, the Johnson House established the Center for Social Advocacy in 2017.
“We have worked with many organizations working on issues to advocate for changes in the community,” Swinson said. “We are not the ones providing those services; we are the hosts for that activity.”
Every June since the center was founded, organizers recognize an issue impacting the community.
This year’s powerful exhibition includes an exhibition from Art for Justice, an organization that creates art exhibitions based on powerful images of those currently or formerly incarcerated.
The art touches on issues in the criminal justice system, including solitary confinement, wrongful conviction and the death penalty, said Ann Marie Kirk of Art for Justice.
Eddie Ramirez was acquitted in November 2023 after serving 27 years behind bars for a murder that officials say he did not commit. His work will be on display during this Juneteenth exhibition.
“It’s a picture of my face with cracks in it,” Ramirez said, describing one of his pieces. “These other pieces also reflect my background in graffiti and street art.”
Former death row inmate Daniel Gwynn was acquitted a few months ago after serving thirty years in prison for arson.
His pain, his purpose and his poignant message are vividly depicted in every stroke of the paint. Exhibiting his work means his story is being heard and his hard work is paying off, Gwynn said.
“All of these men are extremely genuine, brilliant listeners, and they have so much to offer, so I think people will be very inspired,” Kirk said.
Art for Justice has been exhibiting the work of former and current prisoners since the late 1990s, traveling not only throughout Pennsylvania, but across the country.
People can meet one of the artists at the Germantown Mennonite Church at 21 West Washington Lane in Philadelphia on Sunday from 12:30-2:30 p.m.
