Gabriel City » Art

Art Behind Bars in Florida Prison

hcdmedia — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:46:09 +0000

The Monroe County Detention Center in Key West Florida has an innovative art program that has been going on for 15 years. Helping inmates by giving them healthy outlets for rehabilitation.

Founded by Lynne Vantriglia in 1994, the program is a nonprofit and claims to “significantly increase the effectiveness of incarceration at reducing the number of re-offenders, saving the tax-payers of Monroe County over $2,000,000 and increasing the availability of revenue producing Federal use units.”

You can find out more information on the website and watch this 1o min video about the project:

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Medea Project – Helping Female Inmates

hcdmedia — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:35:36 +0000

The Medea Project is an ongoing theatrical performance that focuses on issues of incarcerated women. Founded by Rhodessa Jones, these art-based performances are geared toward reducing the number of incarcerated women in the United States. Jones began the theater while conducting classes at the San Francisco County Jail.

photo from: Can We Get There By Candlelight (2002)

The newest dramatic story entitled Rubba Girl is “A cautionary tale using flash animation that tells the story of one girl coming to know herself as well as supporting safe sex and a right to ones own body. It is a coming of age story told from the point of view of the incarcerated woman.”

Check out more about this initiative at The Medea Project.

Children’s Prison Art Project

hcdmedia — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:12:36 +0000

The Children’s Prison Art Project is an innovative organization whose mission is to

introduce juvenile offenders in correctional facilities and shelters to an innovative educational theater and visual arts forum where they can express their thoughts and visions in constructive ways.

They currently have an art exhibition at the Greater Houston Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Visit their website to see some of the art and to learn more about this organization.

Prison Art Gallery

hcdmedia — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:43:29 +0000

The Prisons Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC that promotes the arts and education in prison.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Prison Arts Coalition

hcdmedia — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:14:24 +0000

The Prison Arts Coalition is a network of people creating art related to the criminal justice system. Their website features some of the art coming out of prison and all the news about new art being made. Check it out here.

Rikers Inmates and Alumni Exhibit Paintings

hcdmedia — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:52:26 +0000

Creating art inside prison walls can have positively affect the inmates who are creating them, as well as the outside community that these inmates no longer have a part in. Elizabeth Josephson established art classes in Riker’s prison offer a group of inmates a chance to learn and create a new passion for their lives.

But for Josephson, the class is more than just a past-time; she sees the potential for these inmates to truly empower themselves, preparing them for life outside prison when they are released.

Read more of the story on Huffington Post.

Inmates find freedom and peace through music

hcdmedia — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:12:50 +0000

The inmates in Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail create music and art ranging from rap music to poetry. A method of escape from their stressful lives, the words and lyrics often reflect the inmates’ vision of the free world and their own life behind bars. Read more about it here.

Art in Prison

hcdmedia — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:07 +0000

While in prison some inmates unleash their creative potential. It is amazing that art that is being produced from United States prisons!

Check some art out here: http://www.bighouseart.com