Letter from Rico
Greetings and salutations! My warmest blessings to the reader of this letter and to the prospective listeners. I was born a heroin baby… didn’t even speak until I was 9 years old.  I grew up with what we now know as ADHD, and a side order of PTSD based upon...
Will prison arts programs make a comeback in California? Radio story on KALW
We appreciate the wonderful story about Brothers in Pen and the need for the restoration of Arts in Corrections! Reporter Kyung Jin Lee captures how important the writing group is for these guys and how it is an avenue for self-reflection and empathy, both of which...TELLING OUR STORIES: Work from San Quentin Prison Arts Project
Alcatraz Cellblock Gallery, Alcatraz National Park, March 4- end of August, 9-6:40 Daily April 12, 2 PM: Live performance by Poetic Justice Project Telling Our Stories features the diverse and highly talented visual artists of the San Quentin Prison Arts Project,...CALIFORNIA ARTS IN CORRECTIONS EVALUATION PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release A one-year study of inmates in four California correctional institutions revealed that arts programs improve prisoners’ behavior and their attitudes about themselves. A significant majority of inmates attribute their greater confidence...Celebration and Solicitation
“It means a lot. I know since I started coming, I have pushed myself to finish a lot of things. I won’t give up. I won’t sit back and be a spectator in my life. I want to be strong and follow through.” ~ participant in choral group at SF...2013 Accomplishments and Accolades
San Francisco Chronicle, Weekend section, “On the Line†photo and listing for SF Public Library exhibit opening, June 13, 2013, with Panel of Former Prisoner Artists. Read coverage on exhibit & panel in SAN QUENTIN NEWS, September 2013, Page 2 & also...From the San Quentin News: WJA Promotes S.Q. Arts Project
“William James Association Promotes S.Q. Arts Project” Republished from San Quentin News -Â VOL. 2013 NO. 11 -Â November 2013 By Boston Woodard, Staff Writer The William James Association (WJA) is an organization that promotes work services in the arts,...Guillermo Willie, getting out and giving back
Willie was “inside” for 38 years and once he connected with his creativity, he became very involved in Arts in Corrections. Willie’s been out for 5 years now and is thriving. He was involved in the first few years of Poetic Justice Project...“Juilliard to Jail” by Leah Joki
I recently finished Leah Joki’s new book “Juilliard to Jail”. If you want an inside view of what the Arts in Corrections program was during its heyday, this is a compelling read. Leah was the Artist/Facilitator, first at Chuckawalla Valley State...
In support of the Prison Arts Project