Art Donation Reception with Gary Shockley

Scarritt Bennett Center Receives Significant Art Donations to Inspire Justice and Peace

Nashville, TN – The Scarritt Bennett Center, a hub dedicated to fostering social justice and educational advancement, is proud to announce the acquisition of three profound artworks by renowned artist Gary Shockley. These pieces vividly embody the Center’s commitment to racial justice, transformative education, spiritual enrichment, and women’s empowerment.

Each painting explores themes central to the human experience of conflict and the universal longing for peace and dignity, resonating with Scarritt Bennett’s mission to create spaces that catalyze meaningful conversations and actions toward a more just world.

• “Kenzi” – “Kenzi” depicts a young Palestinian girl gravely injured during a bombardment, embodying the catastrophic human cost of ongoing conflicts. Through Kenzi’s expressive eyes and the stark reality of her injuries, Shockley humanizes the statistics of war and challenges observers to recognize and respond to the potential decimation of an entire generation. This painting, refused for sale to emphasize its communal significance, supports efforts to foster global peace and solidarity.
• “Syria’s Child” – Originating from a haunting real-world event, this artwork portrays Omran Daqnesh, a young Syrian boy dramatically affected by the war. Captured in the aftermath of a bombing, Omran’s image became a symbol of civilian suffering in conflict zones. Transformed from a landscape into a portrait, the painting served as an emblem in global peace campaigns and stands as a daily reminder of the ongoing need for advocacy and action towards peace.
• “Dalia” – This powerful oil painting captures the innocence and suffering of children affected by war. Dalia, a symbolic figure, represents all children who suffer under the brutality of conflict fueled by ideological and theological extremism. Her vivid portrayal pleads for recognition and action to protect the most vulnerable in our societies. Through “Dalia,” Shockley invites viewers to confront the impact of violence on innocent lives, urging a collective response to uphold the sacredness of all children.

The Scarritt Bennett Center is honored to house these impactful artworks, viewing them not only as decorations but as powerful catalysts for education and change. These additions to our collection will enhance our ongoing programs and inspire our community to engage deeply with issues of justice and peace.

“We are deeply grateful to Gary Shockley for entrusting us with these moving works,” said the Rev. Sondrea Tolbert, Executive Director of Scarritt Bennett Center. “Each painting brings a unique story and a profound reminder of our shared responsibilities. We look forward to how these artworks will inspire our community and support our mission to achieve a more just world.”

To celebrate these new additions, the Center will host a welcome reception with the artist on Wednesday, May 15th, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Laskey Art Gallery. The community is invited to join us in appreciating these significant works and to engage in dialogue about the issues they represent.

The artworks will be on display at the Scarritt Bennett Center, with special programs to be planned around each piece to deepen engagement and understanding of the issues they represent.