Daniel Gwynn

Exonerated Artist 197

Daniel Gwynn is a self-taught artist, motivational speaker, and advocate, whose life is a testament to his perseverance against severe injustice and to his personal transformation.


Daniel was wrongly convicted of arson and murder in 1995 and sentenced to death. After spending nearly three decades behind bars, Daniel’s death sentence was overturned in 2023, and on 2/28/24 he was exonerated and ordered to be released from prison.


While incarcerated Daniel documented his experience and declared his innocence through his art. Daniel’s art, from the abyss of death row, was his call to the world to tell of his persistent journey to obtain justice despite an avalanche of obstacles.


Since regaining his freedom Daniel has emerged as a powerful force in the art, motivational speaking and social justice world. Through his art and his advocacy Daniel is creating a lasting impact on communities as he uses his creativity as both a healing tool and a call for justice.

Accomplishments

  • First Time Registering to Vote
  • Canvassing for voters in 2024 presidential elections
  • First time voting in 2024 Mayor elections
  • First time voting in Presidential elections
  • Got the very first passport
  • Worked for Mural Arts Phila.
  • Painted first street mural at MLK Rec Center
  • Worked booth at Johnson House Juneteenth Festival
  • Speaker for PA Criminal Defense Lawyers Conference
  • Speaker twice for Temple University law student class
  • Speaker several times for Innocence Project Law Students’
  • Speaker and presentation for Greene Street Friends Middle School Students
  • Speaker and exhibited art for Art for Justice/Johnson House Art Show
  • Speaker and exhibited new painting at Imperfect Gallery Exhibit opening
  • Exhibited art at the 5th Anniversary Open House for Bail Funds Montgomery County
  • Collaborated on planning, curating, presenting One Year Freedom Anniversary Celebration
  • Graduated from Computer basics class
  • Graduated from Certified Peer Specialist training
  • Passed Certified Peer Specialist Exam
  • Received Innocence project’s Hero of Justice Award
  • Received Phila City Council Citation Award
  • Received Dept of Behavioral Health & Intellectual Disability Services storytelling certificate
  • Participated in writing Ombudsman legislation
  • TV Interview with Reporter TaRhonda Thomas
  • TV Interview with Natasha Brown
  • Interview for Death Row Documentary with Dan Walker
  • Radio interviewed with Dr. Chinchila Jonesia
  • Interview with Clay Cane from Sirius XM
  • Learned to pave a sidewalk using YouTube
  • Learned to build a yard fence using YouTube


First time traveling:


  • "Lancaster County", "San Francisco, CA", "Charlotte, NC", "Durham, NC", "Washington, DC", "St. Thomas", "Austin, TX", "Seattle, WA"


Share by: