Ian Witlen, a Parkland resident and fellow alumnus, has created artwork dedicated to the survivors and victims of the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Witlen used photography to document the experiences of the survivors. In May 2018, the artist began interviewing and photographing more than 75 students and teachers, in addition to six of the seventeen families of the victims. Each individual was asked the same two questions: “What was your experience that day?” and “What would you like to see come of it?” Witlen wanted to provide students and teachers with an expressive outlet after such a life-altering experience. Both before and during the project, he consulted with a PTSD  specialist to ensure that victims would not be re-traumatized in the process.

“February 14, 2020 marks the second anniversary of the horrific shooting at my alma mater, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. While time has passed, the pain that my community felt that day has not. To commemorate the second anniversary, and remember those we lost, I have asked Ian Witlen to bring a selection from his photography exhibit ‘Anguish in the Aftermath’ to the state capitol,” said Representative Dan Daley. “It is my hope that this exhibit will remind all of us of the value of life and the need to care for each other.”

“I believe that is this work is distinct by connecting people to something raw and visceral that illustrates what those have endured” said Ian Witlen.

“I’m hoping my work connects viewers with how an event like this truly affects people in our society. This project is completely a-political.”

Marjory Stoneman Douglas Alumnus, Ian Witlen, to Unveil Exhibit Entitled “Anguish in the Aftermath: Examining a Mass Shooting” at the Coral Springs Museum of Art

Coral Springs, FL (July 10, 2019) – Internationally published photographer, and Alumnus of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Ian Witlen is debuting his powerful audio visual exhibition entitled, “Anguish in the Aftermath: Examining a Mass Shooting” on September 14, 2019 at the Coral Springs Museum of Art (2855A Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs, Florida 33065) with a complimentary meet and greet reception on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at 6 pm.

For the past 12-months, Witlen has interviewed more than 75 students and teachers some of whom were located in the freshman building of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018 when terror struck. While answering two questions, “What was your experience that day” and “What would you like to see come of it,” Witlen photographed the participants. “Anguish in the Aftermath” is a collection of black and white portraits and audio recordings from each of the participants.

“This exhibition is the absolute intersection of art and humanities. The portraits are masterfully rendered and matched with the individual’s heartbreaking account of the experience,” said Julia Andrews, Executive Director of the Coral Springs Museum of Art. “We are privileged to provide Ian with this artist in residence opportunity and humbled by the support we have received to make this happen. Our intention is that this exhibit will travel to other museums and educational institutions.”

Born and raised in Coral Springs, Ian Witlen’s recent work can be seen in TIME, Der Spiegel, The Boston Globe, NPR, NY Mag, CNN (The Parkland Diaries), Vanity Fair, Huffington Post, ABC News, CBS News, Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Forbes, and more.

“Anguish in the Aftermath: Examining a Mass Shooting” will be available for viewing at Museum through November 9, 2019. Support for this exhibit has been provided by the Florida Humanities Council and by the following Funds at the Community Foundation of Broward: Helen and Frank Stoykov Charitable Endowment Fund; Ruth H. Brown Fund for the Arts; Ron Castell Memorial Fund; Leonard & Sally Robbins Fund; Mary N. Porter Community Impact Fund; and Harold Rosenberg Fund for Children’s Education. For more information about this exhibit, contact the Coral Springs Museum of Art at (954) 340-5000 or museuminfo@coralsprings.com and online at www.coralspringsmuseum.org.

The Coral Springs Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Since the Museum is a proud member of North American Reciprocal Museums (NARM) and Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM), members who join at the family membership level ($125 annually), gain access to more than 800 museums across the U.S.

About Coral Springs Museum of Art

The Coral Springs Museum of Art serves Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties, Florida, by offering an art immersion experience focused on celebrating present-day, nationally recognized and Florida artists who create Traditional, Modern and Postmodern art. Since its opening in early 1997, the museum has hosted over one million visitors and students and exhibited the work of more than 200 artists in its galleries, including well-known artists such as Alexandra Nechita, Romero Britto, Wolf Kahn, Duane Hansen, Clyde Butcher, Jose Bedia, Royo, Yuroz, Dale Chihuly and Toulouse-Lautrec. The museum, which features a permanent collection and an extensive sculpture garden, is open to the public and offers numerous classes, programs, events and exhibits for children and adults. For more information, visit coralspringsmuseum.org.