Welcome to the newest gallery in JAC’s Gallery of the Month series, where we showcase a wide range of art and writing under unique monthly themes. Check back on the first of each month for a new collection of works by the talented artists in the JAC network. To view past galleries of the month, see our Gallery Archive.
There’s something so uniquely thrilling and irritating about changing seasons, because the idea of the next month is always more intriguing than the present. As the days grow shorter and colder, we can’t help but find ourselves dreaming of fireplaces and lit-up houses, indications that winter is in full-swing. But before that, we were longing for the crispness of autumn breezes and falling leaves and cider, and before that we just wanted the leisure of summer, full of fantasies of fresh strawberries and beaches and the way that July nights smell different than the ones in March. It’s not easy to accept the present for what it is when dreaming of the next season is just so much more exciting. Next season, everything will be better, including ourselves… and, if it isn’t, there’s always the season after that. The idea of newness – of new seasons, new beginnings, new people – can all at once be a comfort and a curse.
It’s also something to be grateful for, as it’s worth noting how seasons and even newness are experienced differently by people inside prison, where fresh beginnings are harder to come by and the passage of time is more monotonous. That seasonal variety that keeps us looking forward cannot be felt the same way within the confines of prison walls. This makes the artists in our network, who manage to capture and materialize vibrance and beauty and variety for themselves – though they are offered none – all the more remarkable.
As we move into November and begin to prepare ourselves for both the next season and the next year, our pull toward newness becomes even more pronounced. This month’s gallery is composed of our most recent artwork submissions, featuring work by both artists new to JAC and those who have been with us for a while. As you scroll, you’ll notice the breathtaking diversity of styles, color palettes, subject matter, themes, and materials – a reminder of the limitless nature of art and its celebration of individuality. While scrolling, we hope that you enjoy these new submissions and become excited at the prospect of new artwork and new ideas. And, this November, we hope that you are able to reconcile the draw to newness with appreciation for the present.
We hope you enjoy this month’s gallery: New Art November
