Art That Speaks Life

Our Unique Story

To describe my mother, Dorothy Gray, I would label her a fearless champion for peace, tireless advocate for social justice, and a “spark of hope.” She was a native Washingtonian from the Kenilworth Housing projects, familiar with hardship and struggle, and prepared for any obstacle life might throw at her. However, the most challenging chapter of her life would unfold 1,661 miles away in Aurora, Colorado.
Gray had already established herself as a dedicated community organizer, activist, and accomplished artist; it was Aurora, Colorado, that changed her vision for the future. In Aurora, her artistic horizons expanded, and a deep-seated commitment to addressing gun violence through her creative talents was born. The tragic loss of her son to gun violence ignited her drive to lead grassroots efforts aimed at preventing violence and providing vital support for families of homicide victims.

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

I wanted to give my mother a gift that would touch her heart. I was standing in line at the SDAT office in Baltimore, filling out paperwork to establish the business. I was so excited I decided to call my mother and surprise her with plans of our new venture, one that would kickoff with a trip for the Christmas holiday to Worldwide Outreach for Christ Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota – to visit her First Pastor and dear friend, Curtis Farrar. She was ecstatic. It was the most endearing conversation, and it would be our last. I started the company that would personify her fight against gun violence through the arts. “Painting for Peace” and Art That Speaks Life Galleries was a concept that sprang to life without the foresight the vision would thrive without the visionary. Crafting vibrant art and merchandise, the company aimed to reflect the experiences of those affected by homicide, with powerful messages and actions driving meaningful policy change.
Just three days after the company began my mother passed—and in that moment, the voice that inspired the company was gone.
Suddenly, it hit me! Take the vision she shared with my brother to Colorado, just as they planned
before he was murdered. Since our inception I found solace in every milestone of the journey
before opening the gallery:

● On February 24, 2020, I traveled to the Aurora Municipal Center to address the Mayor and City Council of Aurora, Colorado, commemorating the 25th anniversary of David Hawkins’ slaying.

● During Police Week (May 9-15, 2021), I returned to Colorado to address both the Mayor of Aurora and Aurora City Council, discussing the status of the cold case. I also met with upper-level management and lead detectives at the Aurora Police Department to explore resources for supporting families of homicide victims like ours. And then the ball began rolling, I went back home and got busy!

● Following these engagements, I established “Painting for Peace, The Legacy of Dorothy Gray and David Hawkins”, a national art-infused non-violence movement.

● The “1,661 Miles Project” was initiated as a campaign with a commitment to cover the distance between David Hawkins birthplace and the location where he met his tragic end. As part of this initiative, individuals pledged to walk 1,661 miles. The project aims to bring national attention to a case that’s nearly three decades old, foster broader outreach, gain insight into the case, and empower families of homicide victims. – You can learn more about this at www.1661MilesProject.com.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Dorothy’s creative endeavors blossomed after an early life of struggle and hardship. A native Washingtonian Dorothy was raised in the midst of Washington’s public housing communities. She constantly drew pictures as a way of coping with the many difficulties confronting her. Her special talent remained hidden, however, despite strong encouragement from her father and grandmother.

In 1986, a burst of creative energy compelled Dorothy to pick up the paintbrush. Just a year later, she completed her first artwork, a mural capturing the essence of Martin Luther King’s iconic “I Have A Dream” speech. This mural hung in the office of Councilmember Harry Thomas. Dorothy’s art draws inspiration from African and African-American modernism while paying homage to the rich heritage of her native Washington roots. Her creations, whether graphics or paintings, reveal an affinity for pure, skin-like earth tones, as well as a vibrant spectrum of rich and vivid colors.

Unlike many artists, Ms. Gray doesn’t sketch her figures before applying paints. Instead, she draws with oils, sometimes acrylics. Although she usually works from photos, she doesn’t keep referring to her source. Instead, she carries the images in her head, almost a photographic memory. Her most paintings include former first lady Barbara Bush, surrounded by her grandchildren; a scene from the film Glory; a vibrant mural of Louis Armstrong; and an oil portrait of President Clinton and Vice-President Gore, Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. Ms. Gray, in fact, is the first African-American woman to paint the President, Vice-President and Speaker of the House. She painted a portrait of the late Arthur Ashe to raise public concern about AIDS. Ms. Gray was a long-time resident of Capitol Heights, Maryland, home, where she resided with her youngest daughter, Cynthia. Her artwork and crafts were on display at prominent Washington, D.C. galleries and found their way into an increasing number of private collections.