JAC is honored to be partnering with Ithaka S+R on this much needed project to increase access to stories of people impacted by mass incarceration. We’re thrilled to announce that the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), through its Research and Development Program, has granted funding to a new Ithaka S+R project to explore how the …

Continue reading Preserving Their Stories: A New NEH-Funded Project to Archive Mass Incarceration

By Liv, JAC Intern Recently, JAC had the privilege to speak with Kirk Charlton, a visual artist, formerly incarcerated teaching artist, and founder of the program Art Inside Out. Continue reading to learn about Kirk’s relationship to art, the mission of Art Inside Out, and the values which shape the program. When Kirk Charlton was …

Continue reading Teaching Artist Spotlight: Kirk Charlton

2022 was a year of significant growth for JAC, but it didn’t come without struggle. We felt stretched far beyond our capacity at times and had to get real about how much we could continue to say yes to. Settling into our first office space in Takoma Park, MD was a huge and vital step …

Continue reading JAC’s 2022 Wrapped

Recently, JAC had the chance to speak with organizer, crafter, curator and community taught textile artist, Rachel Wallis. In her own words, Rachel writes: “I believe that traditional textile techniques, particularly quilting, can provide a fertile platform for creating dialog and understanding around complex ideas and issues.” From the Abolitionist Movement, to the Civil Rights …

Continue reading Teaching Artist Spotlight: Rachel Wallis

Recently, JAC got the chance to speak with Angelica Marie Soto, an artist and member of JAC’s network. Continue reading to learn more about Angelica’s relationship with art, what inspires her work, and to view some of her work. Angelica Marie Soto has always been an artist. Growing up the youngest of five siblings, Angelica’s …

Continue reading Artist Spotlight: Angelica Marie Soto

By Jesse DiMeglio, JAC Intern Recently, JAC had the chance to ask JAC network artist Sean J. White a few questions about his recent publication through Alien Buddha Press, a chapbook of poetry titled, “The River is a Lake”. Sean is a profound poet and visual artist working primarily in figuration and mosaic collage. Sean …

Continue reading Artist Spotlight: Sean White’s The River is a Lake

Judith Tannenbaum was a poet, writer, and beloved educator, a mentor, friend, and mother. She was the heart behind the Prison Arts Collective and a source of deep inspiration for many. Now two years after her passing, friends and relatives honor her legacy with a collection of personal writing that reflects, reminisces, and meditates on …

Continue reading The Book of Judith

Guest Contributor: Leo Cardez There is nothing exactly like living in Hell, but there is something close to it. In my Hell, where I lived for most of 2013, there is, as Dante understood, no hope. You wake up every morning realizing that your nightmare will continue into your waking hours. The loss you have …

Continue reading Mr. Crew Cut: An Angel Among Monsters