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James “Big Jim” Brensinger

On August 5, 2019August 13, 2019 By theprisonartscoalition

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Julie Spencer

Jonathan Jacob Nurse

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PO Box 8261
Silver Spring, MD 20907

info@thejusticeartscoalition.org

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Community, opportunities, and resources for artists working in & around carceral settings. Amplifying their voices since 2008.
Silver Spring, MD

JAC is excited to announce our next Create + Conne

JAC is excited to announce our next Create + Connect Workshop: “In The Box with Kenneth Reams.” Join us on Tuesday, September 29th at 5 PM EST for a conversation with Kenneth Reams, an artist on death row, and Judith Elane, a board member of the Arkansas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.

@freekennethreams is an artist, non-profit founder, poet, and arts event organizer. He uses a variety of media to express the inhumane nature of capital punishment and solitary confinement. The workshop will be a powerful conversation about the intersections between #activism, the criminal justice system, and the transformative power of the #arts. We hope to see you there!

Please register in advance using the link in our bio. It is a pay what you can event, but we would greatly appreciate donations to continue sustaining both our and Kenneth's work! More details about the event are in the Eventbrite link.

@oneinfourpodcast @deathpenaltyfocus @deathpenaltyaction @art4justicefund @mdartscouncil @marking_time_art

#artasliberation #endmassincarceration #workshop #kennethreams #abolishthedeathpenalty

This Wed 9.23!! Check out what's sure to be an ama

This Wed 9.23!! Check out what's sure to be an amazing and inspiring conversation with @nifleetwood and @momaps1
Director Kate Fowle! Info in the flyer
.
#Repost @marking_time_art
• • • • • •
Sept 23 at 6:30: Join MoMA PS1 Director Kate Fowle and me for a conversation moderated by art historian Dr. Cheryl Finley, Director of the Atanta University Center's Art History & Curatorial Studies Collective. We will discuss the state of curatorial studies, art and social activism, and the new exhibition Marking Time that opened on Sept 17 at PS1. Info to register is on flyer. Please share widely with your network. @kate.fowle @cheryl__finley @auc_artcollective @momaps1 @harvardpress #markingtimeps1

Hear directly from #incarcerated folks that the Ju

Hear directly from #incarcerated folks that the Justice Arts Coalition has connected with throughout the years! Why does our work matter? Why do we insist on amplifying #humanity through #art? Swipe through and then repost and share on your stories to elevate the lived experiences of people affected by the carceral system. And remember, if you want to contribute to JAC’s work, check out our website (link in bio!) for blogs, penpal projects, and opportunities to donate or volunteer! Stay tuned on social media for workshops and other event updates.

#endmassincarceration #abolishprisons #artasliberation #prisonpenpals #socialjustice

Hi everyone! We want to highlight our pARTner proj

Hi everyone! We want to highlight our pARTner project program! The pARTner project is a correspondence program that allows artists both inside and outside of prison to communicate with each other and share feedback about creative works. The pARTner project is grounded in a shared connection to the arts, allowing participants to serve as mutual support, encouragement and inspiration for each other. If you are interested in participating in the pARTner project, please visit our website to read the FAQ or sign up to participate! Link to our website in our bio.

#endmassincarceration #artasliberation #prisonpenpals #butwithart

Today, we are excited to share the newly released

Today, we are excited to share the newly released “Words After Dark: A Lyrics, Lit & Liquor Anthology,” edited by Amy Ducpak and JAC community member Amanda Miller! The anthology contains #poetry, #essays, #stories, #song lyrics and #comedy, originally performed during the longrunning East Village series Lyrics, Lit & Liquor. More now than ever, it is important to keep elevating the voices of #artists, #writers, and #performers. We are also excited to announce that 20% of book proceeds will go towards supporting JAC. Writing from incarcerated artists features in the anthology.

To quote from the press release, the anthology “is a great gift for aspiring literary writers, songwriters and comedians hankering for unbound, uncensored creative inspiration. It’s essential for anyone with an interest in NYC’s independent arts scene and for all who believe in the power of words to lift us up.”

“Words After Dark” is available on Amazon now at www.amazon.com/dp/0988854333, and you can join Lyrics, Lit & Liquor for a Facebook live reading this Saturday, September 19th at 5 PM EST! (Link in image or at facebook.com/amandaerinmiller) See you there! ✨

SWIPE --> We recently talked with Annie Buckley, o

SWIPE --> We recently talked with Annie Buckley, our newest addition to the Teaching Artist Spotlight series. Annie Buckley is a professor and the director of the School of Art + Design at San Diego State University and the founding director of Prison Arts Collective (PAC), a project of Arts in Corrections, a partnership between the California Arts Council and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. PAC provides multidisciplinary arts programming and peer facilitator trainings in 12 prisons across California through an innovative partnership between California State Universities and state prisons. Buckley’s writing on contemporary art is published in Artforum, Art in America, The Huffington Post, and she is a contributing editor to the Los Angeles Review of Books.

Buckley has written a series of four blog posts for The Justice Arts Coalition excerpted from the series, “Art Inside,” published by Los Angeles Review of Books. Starting September 18th, the four blogs will be posted every other Friday, and you can read JAC’s conversation with Annie Buckley on our blog now. In Buckley's own words, “I am excited to see what we might grow from these shared conversations and how we might evolve our practices to educate and empower not only those behind bars, but those outside, too, to imagine and ultimately build a more just world.”

We are so excited to begin sharing these posts! Link in bio ✨

#endmassincarceration #artasliberation
#artandactivism #artinprison #socialjustice #activism #community

Today, we want to share an article about Aimee Wis

Today, we want to share an article about Aimee Wissman's #artwork, which is featured in the Fresh A.I.R. Gallery as part of an exhibition she co-curated! Visit bit.ly/freshairgallery to learn more about the #exhibition, which spotlights artwork from currently and formerly #incarcerated individuals whose lives have been touched by substance abuse. The article touches on an amazing array of pieces from multiple artists. While the exhibition has been postponed due to COVID-19, you can read more about Aimee’s story and #artistic process and view works from the exhibition at the provided link.

The image in the post is one of Aimee's works! She is a friend and collaborator of the JAC.

#artasliberation #art #endmassincarceration #socialjustice #activism

✨Tomorrow! ✨ArtLinks is back! Tuesday, Septemb

✨Tomorrow! ✨ArtLinks is back! Tuesday, September 15th at 7:00EST!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
At JAC, we understand the impact the arts have in bridging gaps, fostering connection, and building community. Please join us in these efforts by participating in our Virtual ArtLinks event!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Please join us online as we explore new artwork by incarcerated artists and share our reactions, reflections, and feedback with the artists by mail. We’ll host the event via Zoom, during which we’ll walk you through the process of viewing and responding to artwork online. RSVP link in bio!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Can't wait to see you there! #art #community #humanconnection #abolishprisons #endmassincarceration
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🎨🎨by Joshua Earls, William B Livingston III @prisonart6

RSVP today for our ArtLinks event happening in 3 D

RSVP today for our ArtLinks event happening in 3 DAYS on Tuesday, September 15th at 7:00EST!

At JAC, we understand the impact the arts have in bridging gaps, fostering #connection, and building #community. Please support us in these efforts by participating in our Virtual ArtLinks event!

Join us online as we explore new #artwork by incarcerated #artists - we will get to share our reactions, reflections, and feedback with the artists by mail! We’ll host the event via Zoom, during which we’ll walk you through the process of viewing and responding to artwork online. RSVP link in bio or by email.

Can't wait to see you there! #art #humanconnection #abolishprisons #endmassincarceration #artasliberation
#socialjustice #activism

🎨🎨🎨🎨by Vince Vader, Brian Snapp, Tomás, and Lionel Rogers

We invite you all to participate in our new prompt

We invite you all to participate in our new prompt for #storiesbreakchains! This week, we are asking you to share a piece of art you created that captures your feelings on freedom. As always, you can share your story in any form, whether it’s #poetry, #drawing, #painting, #sculpture, #spokenword or anything else! We will work to highlight and amplify your voices.

#storiesbreakchains is changing the narrative about #incarceration and those who are affected by incarceration. We invite everyone to share their stories so we can have some #realtalk about the criminal legal system. Please use and follow #storiesbreakchains and #realtalk to share your story!

#artasliberation #socialjustice #activism #endmassincarceration #shareyourstory

Check out the #JAC blog (link in bio!) for a Septe

Check out the #JAC blog (link in bio!) for a September 4th portfolio post about one of our amazing network #artists, Amber Daniel. Amber writes, “I can’t change the things that have already happened, but being human I can #change who I am going to become. #Faith is believing in what you can’t see. At this moment life isn’t easy for me but that doesn’t mean anything. I just have to keep believing, and continue to be me.” You can see more of Amber’s work in the upcoming #MoMA PS1 exhibition: Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration, opening September 17th. @momaps1

#endmassincarceration #artasliberation #socialjustice #activism #artandactivism #featuredartist #art #paintings

REMINDER! TOMORROW AT 5 PM! Join us this Thursda

REMINDER! TOMORROW AT 5 PM!

Join us this Thursday, 9.10.20 at 5 PM Eastern for the latest in our Create + Conect workshop series: The Jefferson County Memorial Project Liberted Voices Blog Workshop.

When @eji_org erected the @mempeacejustice in Montgomery, AL to commemorate the victims of lynching (including a monument for each county where lynching took place), members of the Jefferson Co. community formed the Jefferson County Memorial Project to determine how and where to place their county’s monument from the memorial.

Part of the project’s work is partnering with volunteers and prisoners at a nearby, state level-four prison. This partnership involves The Liberated Voices Blog: a collection of prisoners’ essays, poems, and artwork about the connection of slavery to Jim Crow lynchings and mass incarceration.

In this workshop, facilitators will discuss the JCMP and the evolution of incorporating the voices of incarcerated people. This workshop will be an open discussion with brief “show and tell” presentations interspersed with audience questions and interaction.

RSVP today! Link in bio. #endmassincarceration
#newjimcrow
#writing #poetry #art #memorial #artasliberation #justiceartsworkshop #socialjustice #artactivism

ArtLinks is back! Tuesday, September 15th at 7:00E

ArtLinks is back! Tuesday, September 15th at 7:00EST!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
At JAC, we understand the impact the arts have in bridging gaps, fostering connection, and building community. Please join us in these efforts by participating in our Virtual ArtLinks event!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Please join us online as we explore new artwork by incarcerated artists and share our reactions, reflections, and feedback with the artists by mail. We’ll host the event via Zoom, during which we’ll walk you through the process of viewing and responding to artwork online. RSVP link in bio!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Can't wait to see you there! #art #community #humanconnection #abolishprisons #endmassincarceration
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🎨🎨by Joshua Earls, William B Livingston III @prisonart6

Today we are spotlighting the incredibly important

Today we are spotlighting the incredibly important work of John Zenc!

This specific work tells the tragic and moving story of John’s childhood best friend, Timy. John’s hope is that sharing Timy’s story will raise awareness for other children like him. Check out John’s blog on our website and view more of his work in our galleries. (TW: abuse, death.) In John’s own words, “My art work is now all around the world. Many people have my kids. My art is my kids. I gave life to each piece.”

Links in bio

#art #friendship #awareness #rootcauses #incarceratedartists #protectchildren @johnzenc_art

Tomorrow!! Get your tix! 👇🏼 See you there! 🙌🏼
.
Friday 9.4.20 at 5 PM est - Join our friends Sarah Rose Lejeune and Daniel Beck of Beyond Prison Artist Alliance for an online artist discussion about the work showcased in the Emotional States exhibit @toeriverarts ! Sarah Rose and Daniel facilitate classes (pre-Covid) inside Avery Mitchell Correctional Institute. Don't miss this online discussion and show your support for Beyond Prison Artist Alliance! RSVP info below!
.
#Repost @toeriverarts
• • • • • •
Spruce Pine, North Carolina

Emotional States, an exhibition of works by artists in the Beyond Prison Artist Alliance, opens this Wednesday, August 5. This exhibition can be viewed at our Spruce Pine gallery or online at toeriverarts.org.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Join us September 4 at 5PM for a Zoom discussion with Beyond Prison Artist Alliance. To RSVP, email info@toeriverarts.org. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Robert G. Reid⁣⁣
Transition⁣⁣
Micro pigment ink on paper⁣⁣
⁣
William Hopkins⁣
Autogami⁣
Bristol board, paper, book board, Q-tips, modeling clay, mylar, cornstarch, baby powder, acrylic paint, enamel paint⁣
⁣
Corey Higgins⁣
Bird Sight⁣
White charcoal and graphite on paper⁣
⁣⁣
#toeriverarts #journeyofthearts #artofthejourney⁣⁣
#exhibition #craft

#Repost from our friends @diejimcrow ・・・ Ch

#Repost from our friends @diejimcrow
・・・
Check out "What Incarcerated Rappers Can Teach America" article by @ethiopienne for @theatlantic . The article highlights three rappers with are turning their firsthand experiences in the system into powerful art -- @drakeotheruler @03greedo and our Deputy Director @blshielle -- excerpt below. LINK IN BIO.
⬆️⬆️⬆️♠️
The Philadelphia rapper BL Shirelle also knows that tension—between experimenting with music purely for the love of the art, and feeling pressure to explain the circumstances she was raised in. Like Greedo and Drakeo, BL has spent a lot of time thinking about the factors that contributed to her own incarceration at age 18. BL grew up surrounded by drug usage and crime; it was a shootout with an undercover police officer that first landed her in prison. When we spoke last month, BL told me that it took her a long time to understand the role her environment and police surveillance played in steering her toward prison. “There was no secret. Like, they knew I was coming; my bed was prepared way before the act was even done,” she said. “And I had to understand that to then be able to present [my story] while not taking all responsibility off of myself.”
#theatlantic #blshirelle #assatatroi #drakeotheruler #03greedo #drakeo #greedo #philly #rapper #hannahgiorgis

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