About The Exhibition
Souls of A Nation is a national portrait exhibition that builds power through storytelling. The online exhibition is a space for meditation, reflection and education about the impacts of systemic injustice. The portraits feature individuals from across the United States. Many have shared their stories to advocate for change.
About Joe
Joe Ward (b.1986) is a Brooklyn-based visual artist and social justice advocate who blends virtual and traditional creative tools to make drawings, paintings and digital art. In addition to artmaking, Joe’s practice includes a broad range of activities including writing, research, and visual communications projects.
Born in Naha (Japan) and raised in Clovis, New Mexico, Joe attended the George Washington University in Washington D.C. where he received his BFA in design, and the New York Studio School in New York City where he received his MFA in painting. For over fifteen years, Joe has worked alongside many of the nation’s leading social justice movements, directing and implementing communications and creative campaigns that address issues of systemic injustice and inequality.
Joe’s work has been featured at the Brooklyn Museum, New York Studio School Gallery, Black Art Sessions [B.A.S.] Gallery and a selection of the Souls of A Nation portraits are currently exhibited at the Festival Center Community Gallery in Washington D.C. Joe currently serves as Justice Arts Fellow for Repairers of the Breach and the Poor People’s Campaign, and consults organizations on justice-oriented communications and creative campaigns.