In 2009, artist and sculptor David Turner sought to utilize his role as chairman of the art6 Gallery Exhibition Committee by dedicating part of the exhibition year to educating the community at large about the Holocaust.
After sending out a call for entries and receiving responses from artists around the globe including support from Jay Ipson of the Virginia Holocaust Museum, The First Annual Holocaust Remembrance Exhibit began to take shape.
The fates brought David together with storyteller Slash Coleman who was looking for a home for his Jewish theater festival. As a result, Slash decided to premier his play "Bonjour Israel," as part of the month of events and brought in award-winning author Eliezer Sobel to perform a colloborative piece about Jewish Identity.
Opening last year on May 1, 2009, over 3,000 Richmonders were able to experience an entire month of powerful events related to Yom Hashoah and the Holocaust. (One man even asked permission to use the event as a backdrop to propose to his future bride). 