To members of San Quentin’s Asian-American and Pacific Islander populations, art is not only a means of creative expression, but also a tethered connection to their community and a celebration of healing from violence.
A regular feature of the prison’s annual Day of Peace is the origami table (above), where residents of diverse backgrounds learn the ancient Japanese art of paper folding with Jun Hutamato. The Day of Peace is a San Quentin tradition going back to 2007 and takes place on the threshold between spring and summer under a brilliant sun, perfect weather for sidewalk chalk drawIngs (center right) and art exhibitions on the Lower Yard (bottom right).
Sonny Vazquez-Ramirez’s visions of Japanese Geisha women (below) currently hang in SQ’s Arts in Corrections gallery, bringing a colorful splash of Asian culture to the space.
