From OHIOANS TO STOP EXECUTIONS
River House Arts, 425 Jefferson Ave, Toledo, in partnership with Ohioans to Stop Executions, will host a pop-up art exhibit entitled “Beyond the Gallows: A Journey to Abolish Capital Punishment” on Saturday, Aug. 5 and Sunday, Aug, 6. The exhibit will be available for public viewing Saturday 3-8p.m. and Aug. 6 1-6 p.m.
A public reception to open the exhibit will be held from Saturday, 5-8 p.m. The reception will feature music, a spoken word performance from SHE Speaks, a conversation with a criminal justice expert and corrections professional, Larome Myrick, and artwork supporting the abolition of capital punishment.
The Toledo-area artists who have already submitted work include Javaughn Collins, Dylan Smith, and many more.
“We want to educate people through art about the reasons for abolishing capital punishment,” said Lydia Myrick, chief organizer for the event and summer intern for OTSE. “The death penalty is a failed policy used in an arbitrary and racially biased way, and I’m thrilled my hometown is part of this important conversation.”
Paula Baldoni, owner of River House Arts, is well aware of efforts to raise awareness in Northwest Ohio around the humanity of people on death row. Her mother, Martha Baldoni, helped publish the Perrysburg-based magazine, “Compassion,” which features content produced by people on death row in the United States.
“Art connects all of us, including the people on death row,” Baldoni said. “Artists have a long history of inspiring change and drawing attention to important issues and I’m glad that River House Arts can be part of that legacy, and hopefully, a part of ending the death penalty in Ohio.”
Senate Bill 101, which would end the death penalty in Ohio, was introduced earlier this year with the most bipartisan support of any legislation of its kind.
Recently, Ohio surpassed five years since its last execution which occurred in 2018.
“Polls show a majority of Ohioans are ready to abandon executions and embrace policies that prevent crime and build real community safety,” said Allison Cohen, executive director of OTSE.
