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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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.
AFJ Exhibit
Innocent: The Truth Not Being Told was exhibited by Art for Justice (AfJ), in partnership with the Johnson House Historic Site’s Center for Social Justice, in the lobby of the Germantown Mennonite Church, May 25 – June 25, 2024. On June 15 during the Philadelphia Juneteenth Festival, 2024 AfJ featured a presentation with speakers, Chester Hollman III, Eddie Ramirez, Muti Ajamu-Osagboro, and Daniel Gwynn – each of whom was innocent of the crime for which he was convicted and experienced long-term incarceration in PA. The community gathered to hear each man talk about the injustice of his conviction, his lengthy fight for freedom in a deeply flawed legal system, and his endurance of harsh, dehumanizing prison conditions. Art for Justice is grateful to Chester Hollman for sponsoring the exhibit.
Live Stream Event:
https://youtube.com/live/AW7AHGC59wk?feature=share
CNBC Event Coverage: https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/philadelphia/news/philadelphia-germantown-mennonite-johnson-house-juneteenth-art-for-justice/
Chester Hollman III, Daniel Gwynn, and Muti Ajamu-Osagboro
Eduard Ramirez Exonerated on November 30, 2023
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.
WEB DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT BY
PRISONER ART FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
AFJ Shows the humanity behind bars.
Brings awareness to systemic flaws in the criminal justice system. Seeks solutions to eliminate injustice.
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