Unlocking Creativity: A Panel Discussion on Art in Prisons

This Saturday, February 10 at 2:00 p.m., the Wende Museum invites you to an illuminating panel discussion on "Transforming Prison Life Through Art," exploring the impact of art within the prison system. Presented in conjunction with our current exhibition, Visions of Transcendence: Creating Space in East and West, this event brings together a diverse group of voices to share insights into the value of art for the incarcerated.

The panel includes Annie Buckley, artist, writer, and the visionary founder of the Prison Arts Collective; Meetra Johansen, a trailblazing social entrepreneur and curator behind Huma House; Christian Branscombe, an artist who served 24 years in prison; Ezequiel Gonzalez, an imprisoned artist whose life took a dramatic turn when his sentence was commuted and he was deported to Mexico; and Kenneth Webb, a self-taught artist serving a life sentence. Gonzalez will join us via Zoom from Mexico, and Webb will contribute over the phone from his cell.

This panel not only sheds light on the stories of those who have found hope and rehabilitation through artistic expression but also celebrates the tireless work of organizations dedicated to making the arts accessible.

Following the discussion, there will be a light reception, where conversations can continue in our serene garden.