Our Mission is to support and exhibit art by incarcerated individuals to promote dialogue on ways to: Prevent Crime, Reduce levels of incarceration. and Find effective, humane ways to improve the criminal justice system.
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Art for Justice Featured Daniel Gwynn’s Presentations and Art on September 30 at two events sponsored by the Bethlehem Area Moravians and hosted by Moravian University’s School of Theology.
The Moravian Academy Upper School welcomed Daniel to address the student body and faculty. The Academy students expressed deep gratitude to Daniel for sharing his experiences of horrific injustice and detailing how he turned to art to survive and create during his lengthy incarceration. The students gave Daniel a standing ovation and many stayed afterwards to talk with him informally.
One of the students who wrote a comment said about one of Daniel’s paintings that “I like how he made the light fill his whole body as the sun fills the sky.” Daniel’s art has been on view at the Academy since August 25 and will remain until October 25.
After visiting with Art and Civic classes at the Academy Daniel brought his art to Moravian University’s School of Theology where he displayed his work and attended a reception with guests. Afterwards Daniel gave a presentation about his arduous journey accompanied by a slide show of his art. The audience, in person and zoom, gave accolades to Daniel for his truth-telling, courage, and thought-provoking art.
Art for Justice continues to support Daniel Gwynn, exonerated death row artist, who undertook a speaking tour in Alaska, July 26 – August 1, 2025. Daniel was the Keynote Speaker at the Alaskan’s Against the Death Penalty’s Annual “Fry Fish Not People” fundraiser. He also gave presentations to the Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, the Anchorage ACLU, and the Alaskan Black Caucus.
One guest said of Daniel’s presentation, “Daniel was the most fabulous speaker – the best I’ve heard in my 20 years working with our cause. He is so strong and easy to respect. My heart is swollen.”
EXHIBIT 2025
Daniel Gwynn celebrated his 1st year Anniversary of Freedom on 3/2/25 with his family, friends, lawyers, and advocates at an event sponsored by Art for Justice, the Johnson House’s Center for Social Advocacy, and the Big Beard Barber Shop at Our House Cultural Center in Germantown.
Featured during the evening:
- an exhibit of 25 artworks by Daniel
- a slide show documenting Daniel’s accomplishments throughout the year, his many pen pals during his 30 years of wrongful incarceration, and significant times he shared during the past year with family and friends
- a presentation with speakers, Karl Schwartz, his Defense Attorney, Cornelia Swinson, Ex Director of the Johnson House, AMKirk, Director of AfJ, and, most inspiring, Daniel Gwynn.
What Joy to honor Daniel for his courage throughout his long incarceration, his fortitude fighting to obtain justice and be freed, and his steadfast work to create a new life for himself with his family, friends, and community!
Daniel with his attorneys, Alan Tauber & Karl Schwartz
Daniel standing in front of his art
Daniel with Cornelia Swinson, Valentino Howell, and Ann Marie Kirk
Wiso Ortiz, Sonya Ortiz and Rene Angel Ortiz
Rene Ortiz’s family, supporters, and legal team immediately after the 1/17/25 hearing where Judge DiClaudio ordered his release.
Rene Angel Ortiz - Released
Rene Ortiz, who spent 34 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, was released from Phoenix SCI on January 17, 2025.
Judge DiClaudio spoke during Mr. Ortiz’s hearing, 1/17/25, about newly discovered evidence in the case saying that had the jury known of this evidence at the time of the original trial, it would have benefited Mr. Ortiz. The Prosecution and Defense attorneys had presented an agreement for a plea deal to DiClaudio whereby Mr. Ortiz would agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge of 3rd degree in exchange for a revised sentence of 17 – 34 years. As Rene Ortiz had already served the maximum of 34 years, Judge DiClaudio ordered that he be released.
Rene Ortiz, 2nd from the left, and his family, moments after his release from prison the evening of 1/17/25.
Portraits of Philadelphia
Works by Charles Zafir Lawson
Co-Founder of Art for Justice
Charles Zafir Lawson, serving life without parole at Phoenix SCI in PA, is a self – taught artist. Mr. Lawson began to paint as a way to save his sanity and to call out the injustice and oppression in the criminal justice system. Charles Lawson’s thought provoking, inspirational art has been exhibited by AfJ at over 100 venues and events. Many of the murals in Philadelphia created by the Mural Arts Program were painted by individuals incarcerated at Graterford Prison – Charles Lawson’s portraiture is seen in the faces in some of these murals. Mr. Lawson is also to Co-Creator of the Road Map for Life Workshops for Youth.
