This exhibition has a rich history, a goal of inclusion without sacrificing quality, and a record of growth. From 50 artists and 77 works from 16 prisons and a visitor count of 462 in 1996, we have grown, in March 2006, to 247 artists and 372 works from 44 prisons and a count of 3,770.  The exhibition is enhanced by speakers such as Jimmy Santiago Baca, Ellen Barry, Lenny Foster of the Navajo Nation, Beth Richie, Sister Helen Prejean, and Terry Kupers, and by panels that include family members of prisoners and the formerly incarcerated.

The annual exhibition breaks stereotypes and demystifies prisoners, revealing their talents, their perspectives, and their rich range of themes.  The gallery is a magic space, full of color, vision, and life.  The exhibition also connects the incarcerated community with the community on the outside.  Visitors to the gallery encounter both the art and autobiographical statements by the artists.  At the opening reception and during the exhibition, they meet both family members of the artists and volunteers who have interacted with the artists in the prison setting. The artists receive a video tape of the opening reception which includes speeches, crowd shots, and images of each of the works on exhibition; they also receive copies of fliers and reviews and a copy of all the comments in the visitors' book.  Increasingly the art selection teams and the artists are able to interact at the prisons.

Each fall, the planning committee for the exhibition gathers and begins its work.  If you are interested in joining the committee and becoming involved with the exhibition, please let us know