About
Discovering Art in Unlikely Places
The art school I originally attended was not a traditional one as it was located in the basement of a federal prison. I know that such a place sounds ominous to some, but for me, it was a place of great joy and freedom. Early on in my incarceration, I struggled to find purpose and meaning in my new environment. Filled with guilt for the harm I had created, and with way too much time on my hands, I looked for something to do.
That is when I found art and the Hobby Craft program: a room in the prison’s basement that gave me access to an easel and the ability to purchase art supplies!
Self Portrait: On the Yard
Mentorship and Growth
That is where I found my first art teacher; a person who had earned a BFA many years before their incarceration. I worked with him for over 6 years; learning about composition, color theory, application, and, most importantly, how to develop my own sense of style. Although it was hard, he taught me not to give up just because a painting wasn’t going the way I wanted it to, that a painting has its own needs, and that I can continue to work through any problem. This lesson has extended way past art and is the bedrock of all I do today.
Art as a Path to Healing
Art was more than just an activity for me while incarcerated, it was the framework that allowed me to deeply question the parts of myself that created so much harm in the past while also providing a pathway to a new future. While many concentrated on surviving bleak days, I found the joy of creation. When my mentor was finally released, I found myself alone and started to reach out past my prison. To my great surprise, I found an audience for my art, and it was displayed in many exhibits across the country. With each sale of art, I saw myself more and more as an artist. This new vision of myself gave me the strength to continue to confront the parts of myself that needed to change for me to become a positive member of society.
Connecting Beyond Prison Walls
And while these experiences were personally liberating, they also provided an opportunity to help others. Thanks to the recognition my art received, I was asked to join the Board of Directors for the Justice Arts Coalition; a national 501(c)(3) that supports the arts within the carceral system. For the last 5 years, I have served in a variety of capacities, including Chair of the Board – A first for someone who was currently incarcerated. This platform gave me an opportunity to help other artists find pathways to grow as well. Through this work, and even though I was still incarcerated, I have spoken at conferences, had an essay published in an academic journal, interviewed by the media, and coordinated multiple national projects.
Economic Freedom
Leadership and Advocacy
I have done all of these things without traditional access to a formal arts education. And while I am proud of all that I have been able to accomplish, I imagine what more I will do with a BFA of my own as I am now released from prison. There are many artists still inside whom I am dedicated to supporting, and your purchase of my art or donation will go a long way to help me and them as well.
Looking Ahead: Pursuing Formal Education
Ultimately, I imagine a world that directly addresses harm creation through the arts, and this degree is a major step towards my ability to help create this new world. With your support , I can move past the art school I found within a prison’s basement and into a traditional one that will help me to continue to grow.
Support my continued education and help bring art to more lives.
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