Letters

2009

Project: 

A collection of anonymous letters written in dedication and memorial.

The letters are anonymous correspondence from citizen towards victims (both survivors and those slain) and families of victims involved in Oakland homicides.  The anonymity of the writings allows for a great amount of emotional outpour. The works are uniformly written in pencil on a single page lined school paper

.Collection:

The letters are collected through anonymous posts on Craigslist, through open mailings with residents, and by working with staff, participants, and YEPs (Oakland’s Youth Employment Program) at Dimond Park, in Oakland.  Student participants in school 

classroom presentations at the Fremont High School campus’ Media Academy have written additional letters.  Letters are continually being collected as an interactive component during Challenges of Champion’s 2009 Art Tour (scheduled throughout the Bay at a different location each month). As of July there are approximately 200 letters. 

Appearences: 

Letters to the Victims is part of the Challenges of Champions Tour, which visually and communally reflects on Oakland homicides.  The exhibit has been received coverage and mention from the following: KQED, KGO radio and other ABC syndicates, The Oakland Tribune, The Eastbay Express, and the Eastbay Monthly. The work continues to show through the bay area and is scheduled for the entire year 2009. In addition, the letters will be shown at 2009 Power to the Peaceful Festival in San Francisco as Part of ACE Art’s Oakland School 4 Peace exhibit. 

Publication:

It is our intent to create a publication of the original works and distribute the booklets to the Oakland Unified School District, as well as through various public community settings such as Oakland Public Library and The Parks and Recreation System.  The program will continue to collect letters throughout the publication as an opportunity for community grieving. We are seeking contributions towards these efforts. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.