Justice Arts Coalition Blog

The Slippery Slope of Kindness

Teaching artist Treacy Ziegler's third installment of a series of essays on kindness in prison.

Just Art Initiative

by Annabel Manning As part of the Jail Arts Initiative, I give a series of art workshops based on the “Nana” using Nikki de Saint Phalle’s “Nana” figures as a departure point. This way incarcerated adult participants can explore the themes of identity and agency through the female form.  Their “Nana’s” become portraits based on …

Continue reading Just Art Initiative

Celebrating a successful opening night…and a video launch!

by Wendy Jason, Managing Director of the Justice Arts Coalition On Saturday, May 25th, at Rhizome DC, the Justice Arts Coalition celebrated the opening of Becoming Free, our first exhibition of works by incarcerated artists. We were joined by nearly 125 community members, each one helping to fill the space with warmth, care, and a …

Continue reading Celebrating a successful opening night…and a video launch!

Please join us in DC to celebrate the opening of our first exhibition!

Art Exhibit: “Becoming Free” Saturday, May 25, Opening Reception from 7pm-10pm Suggested donation $10-20 at the doorArt for sale! Presented by the Justice Arts Coalition The opening reception kicks off a month-long exhibit of works by incarcerated artists, running May 25-June 22, 2019. The event will include works by artwork by Tomás, Will Livingston, Carole …

Continue reading Please join us in DC to celebrate the opening of our first exhibition!

Becoming Whole: the Joy of Creation

by Tomás I find it incredibly difficult to describe what it is like being an artist in prison. There are so many physically and emotionally conflicting paradoxes at play. If I were never imprisoned, I would have, most likely, never taken the time to explore the artist aspect of myself. On the other hand, my …

Continue reading Becoming Whole: the Joy of Creation

REDEMPTION SONGS: A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A COMMUNITY PRISON CHOIR – Book Release

Innerworld Publications San German, Puerto Rico Iowa City-based writer Andy Douglas’s new book, “Redemption Songs: A Year in the Life of a Community Prison Choir”, was released on April 1, 2019. For six years, the author volunteered with the Oakdale Community Choir, a performing chorale composed of both volunteers and inmates and directed by University …

Continue reading REDEMPTION SONGS: A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A COMMUNITY PRISON CHOIR – Book Release

An important message from PAC’s manager — please read on!

Dear PAC Community, I’m excited to share some big news with you! Over the coming months, the Prison Arts Coalition will undergo a transformation to incorporate as the Justice Arts Coalition (JAC), a 501c3 nonprofit organization. In the spirit of the vision that drove PAC’s founders, the JAC will become an organizing body for institutions …

Continue reading An important message from PAC’s manager — please read on!

Conference Announcement: Reframing the Landscape of Justice

California Lawyers for the Arts and the William James Association in collaboration with Santa Clara University and the Justice Arts Coalition presents Arts in Corrections: Reframing the Landscape of Justice June 24 – 28, 2019 Santa Clara University 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053 This national conference will provide professional development opportunities for artists …

Continue reading Conference Announcement: Reframing the Landscape of Justice

Announcements / Statements / Guides

Artist Spotlights

Teaching Artist / Program Spotlights

JAC Community Blogs

Guest Blogs

Events, Exhibitions, and Publications

Reflections from JAC’s Founding Director in Response to Anti-Asian Violence

Black Lives Matter