The David Leese Studio is presenting a community wide art exhibition for all residents and neighbors of York County, PA. 
    
 
                
 
We started to plan this very public art installation because of the violent act that took place in February 2025 at UPMC hospital (a place of healing) which took the life of Police Officer Andrew Duarte and left police departments, medical personnel and a community in a state of shock.
 
Then, in September of 2025, that shock turned to horror as three more Police Officers' (Detective Sergeant Cody Becker, Detective Mark Baker and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser) lives were taken in yet another senseless act of violence as they were ambushed trying to protect a young girl and her family from a 24 year old ex-boyfriend. The killings were described by authorities as the "Hateful Scourge of Domestic Violence".
 
No words can explain how a whole county's Hearts had become Hardened and scarred from such grief and sorrow.
 
We will be including programming and discussions throughout the 2-month exhibition relating to violence, civility and safety which will be available to all residents of York County. 
 
 
  
Background: An art project of love and hope for all of humanity.  

Now that all forms of violence (including sexual assault & domestic violence), hatred and bullying are front and center in every person's life and community, there is an urgency to confront these serious social issues. The David Leese Studio is now offering and placing our scaled up family friendly art exhibition titled the "Hardened Heart Series: Portraits of Humanity" as a vinyl art installation on glass front facades of buildings and public spaces. This temporary billboard style exhibition allows a wider public 24/7 access to interact with the strong message about social issues that have now morphed into serious safety and security concerns for every individual, family, business, school, college and communities across America. The "Hardened Hearts: Portraits of Humanity"  allows the public and all our leaders from all zip codes a creative way to help draw the public in and help everyone approach and discuss these difficult topics in a more thoughtful way.  
 
There is no one that has not been touched by violence and hatred in some way or has ADJUSTED theirs or their families lives because of the anxiety or anticipation of personally experiencing violence.  Violent acts are changing who we are as Americans and it is now time to confront and start "Changing Hearts" that have been harden because of indifference to the normalization of violence, hatred and bullying. Witnessing or hearing about so much violence changes who we are as human beings and hardens all of our hearts.  Our indifference to each other has become so deep into our culture that it is going to take a continuous and constant conversation to truly "Change Hearts". 
 
 

A Safe Heart

The Safe Heart police vehicle represents something greater than transportation or patrol — it represents presence, protection, compassion, and connection.

Every day, officers enter communities carrying the weight of difficult calls, trauma, crisis, and uncertainty. At the same time, community members often encounter law enforcement during some of the hardest moments of their lives. The Safe Heart concept was created to acknowledge both realities with humanity at the center.

Wrapped in the symbolism of Hardened Hearts, this vehicle becomes more than a police car. It becomes a moving reminder that safety and compassion can exist together.

As officers patrol neighborhoods, respond to emergencies, visit schools, support victims, and engage with families, the Safe Heart travels with them — carrying a visible message that people are seen, valued, and cared for.

Each heart represents stories often left unspoken:
grief, survival, loss, healing, resilience, trauma, hope, and love.

The purpose is not to ignore pain, but to recognize it openly and create opportunities for understanding between community members and those who serve them.

The Safe Heart initiative reflects a shared commitment:
• to create safer communities through connection
• to lead with compassion and empathy
• to support both officers and community members
• and to remind people that even in difficult moments, humanity matters

In a world where many interactions can feel divided, this project stands as a visual reminder that healing begins when people choose to listen, care, and show up for one another.

Because behind every badge is a human being.
And behind every call for help is a heart that deserves to be seen. ?

Created in loving memory of Officer Andrew Duarte, Det. Sgt. Cody Becker, Det. Mark Baker, and Det. Isaiah Emenheiser, this installation honors lives dedicated to protecting others and recognizes the lasting impact violence leaves on officers, families, departments, and entire communities.

For additional information or to coordinate sponsorship of this unique family friendly art exhibition, contact Patricia Leese at the David Leese Studio at (610) 462-0851 or LeeseARTS@aol.com.