ART REVEALING THE GUNFIRE EPIDEMIC

The Soul Box Project raises awareness of the U.S. gunfire epidemic by exhibiting thousands of hand-folded origami Soul Boxes representing victims. We are an arts-based nonprofit influencing the decisions of individuals and policymakers with a visually stunning call-to-action unlike any other gun violence prevention organization.

This year

2022 Deaths & Injuries to May 26*

men, women and children
have been
SHOT
in the U.S.

Half were killed.
54% of the deaths were suicides.
Gun violence, defense and accidents killed the rest.

Half were injured.
Many were disabled for life.
Countless others struggle with psychological trauma.

This is the
LOSS WE CARRY.

2021 Deaths & Injuries Total = 85,398

ARTivism is an
Effective Response to Gun Violence

The Soul Box Project is a way for us to respond to our country’s epidemic of gunfire deaths and injuries.

I can tell you over 80,000 people are killed or injured by bullets every year.* But with Soul Box exhibits you can see that number in a visceral way. Reaching that emotional place is what prompts action to save lives.

~Leslie Lee, Artist and Founder of The Soul Box Project

Experience Our Online Exhibit: This Loss We Carry
Over 30,000 Soul Boxes in this online exhibit represent people in the U.S. killed by gun violence, defense, accidents or suicide. All of these Soul Boxes were on display on the National Mall in Washington D.C.

View the Online Exhibit – Search for a Name

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Opening July 7th

Running through July 27th

Begin Your First Thursday

in the Pearl (NW 13th Ave.)

then come and see us at NW 4th & Everett

3 – 6 PM

Make Something Happen in 2022

Woman points in large expanse of Soul Boxes, Grand Rapids, MI

Host an Exhibit
When you host an exhibit, you are displaying installations of Soul Boxes which can consist of just a few hundred or many thousands of Soul Boxes. Whether in a museum, library, theater, gallery, art center, church, business or community center, no budget or venue is too large or too small to provide an impact.

Find Out More

Woman folds a Soul Box to add to a stack

Host an Event.
The calming, restorative activity of folding origami Soul Boxes and adding them to public exhibits is an effective way to raise awareness by combining art with activism. You can host a day long event or a weekend event. Collaborate with other organizations in your community.

Find Out More

The Soul Box Project

reveals the U.S. gunfire epidemic by counting and honoring victims.

Learn How You Can Make a Difference

Our exhibits visually showcase the true extent of the U.S. gunfire epidemic. Each Soul Box holds a physical space for a life lost or injured by gun violence, defense, accident or suicide. People across the country have made and sent us thousands of hand-folded origami boxes:

Soul Boxes Made by People like YOU!

Each one counts. Each one is seen.

Each loss is felt.

The entire work of art—representing the number of U.S. gunfire deaths and injuries in three years—was displayed in Washington, D.C., on October 16-17, 2021.

With your continued support, we can send the Soul Box panels out to communities nationwide to keep spreading the awareness of Gun Fire Epidemic across the U.S. Contact us to bring a selection to your town.

This Loss We Carry on the National Mall, DC – October 2021
200,000 Soul Boxes were exhibited as This Loss We Carry on the National Mall in Washington D.C. with 800 linear feet of 36,000 Soul Boxes on panels under a canopy, and bags of 164,000 Soul Boxes lining the walkways spanning the Mall.

Learn More about Our Exhibit in DC

The Soul Box Project

offers healing participation to those seeking solace.

Participants at Various events with Soul Boxes

I had no inclination to make a box at all. I really was reluctant. Finally, I went through the process of just folding the paper. I couldn’t be in the emotional part and fold the box at the same time. It turned off that part of my brain to the grief that was so painful. I couldn’t find any other way.

There it was right in front of me, two pieces of paper – folding them. It’s beautiful.

~Andrew M., who lost his son to suicide

As a parent [these Soul Boxes] make me think: each person who made a Box has felt the pain of a lost soul. Every knock on the door, every phone call, you pray it’s not news like this.

~Anonymous

It was a joy watching Angela making her Boxes! After a few tears and sobs, she really felt good about what she was doing. Your project has accomplished not only awareness, but a comfort to those who have lost so many loved ones.

~Susie P.

Make a Box Now

Share Your Story

The Soul Box Project

provides dramatic visual support for all initiatives working for a safer, more civil society.

Groups and organizations across the country have collaborated with our Project by using Soul Boxes to support their activism. Folding a Soul Box is a calming, restorative activity for groups or individuals. Add your locally-made Boxes to an exhibit to effectively raise public awareness.

Soul Boxes remember individuals lost or injured by any circumstance of shooting: violence, defense, accident or suicide. Our exhibits represent and honor people of every race, cultural background, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious or political affiliation.

We assist any group looking for ways to dramatize their messages about reducing gun violence. Get inspiration from the creative events and exhibits others have hosted. Then Contact us to plan action in your community.

Host an Exhibit or Event