FACES NOT FORGOTTEN

/ Union Avenue Christian Church/
handgun

Every day in the United States an average of eight children die by gun violence ... an unsettling reality of the world in which we live. The ARTS GROUPS OF UNION AVENUE and FACES NOT FORGOTTEN will explore this divisive issue through art and film with the opening of an exhibition of portraits in the Gretchen Brigham Gallery on Sunday, September 18, 2016. The 43 portraits are the not forgotten faces of children and youth whose lives were cut short by gun violence in the metropolitan St. Louis area. An opening reception will begin at noon.

In addition to the exhibition, AGUA and Faces Not Forgotten will screen the 2016 documentary UNDER THE GUN. The documentary examines the events and the organizations that have kept the gun debate fierce, even as gun deaths and mass shootings escalate in our country. The screening, 1 – 2:50 p.m., is free and open to the public.

Through the lens of families impacted by the mass shootings in Newtown, Aurora, Isla Vista and Tucson, as well as those who experience daily gun violence in Chicago, the documentary looks at why politicians are finding it difficult to act and what is being done at the state and local levels. The film is executive produced and narrated by Katie Couric and directed by Stephanie Soechtig.

The "Faces" project was started by artist, Christine Ilewski. She began painting portraits of children who had died as the result of gun violence in memory of Lorenzo Rosebaugh. It is her hope that by putting a face to these youngest victims, we can raise awareness about gun violence in the United States. The exhibition in the Brigham Gallery continues through October 9, 2016.

A panel discussion from 2:50 – 3:30 will round out the afternoon.