Prison Art Workshop on Governors Island
September, 2023
Our first annual prison art workshop, we focused on how art is made with improvised materials in spaces of confinement. Attendees listened to formerly-incarcerated artists speak about their respective experiences creating art, followed by viewing sculptures made with newspaper and paintings made with bed sheets as canvas.
After the artist conversation, the participants accepted the challenge of creating their own paintings using the provided improvised art materials: ripped bed sheets for canvas and beet juice, various flavors of Kool-Aid, and coffee for pigment. The turnout for both days was amazing, and the interest, empathy, and overall engagement shown by the participants is something that we truly appreciate. We look forward to offering this again!
