Through intricate crafts, San Quentin resident Santiago Valencia has been channeling his art into his rehabilitation.
“I learned how to create figurines out of discarded newspapers,” said Valencia. “Being that I don’t have any financial help from family members or friends, I have been able to earn an honest living while incarcerated through my art. I am paying for my crime and doing my hobby has helped me grow.”
San Quentin does not have a hobby craft program, which makes it harder for Valencia to have access to the necessary materials for his work.
Instead, he has taken his innovation to a higher level. When he can’t afford to purchase materials, he makes his own. For example, he makes heart-shaped jewelry boxes with special messages and portraits out of everything from discarded newspapers, rice, small rocks from the yard, paint, or floor wax.
“It is amazing how I can transform wax into glue, and when I don’t have wax, I use paint to glue the pieces together,” said Valencia.
He learned how to craft by watching a former cellmate work on artistic pieces during the long lockdowns of Covid. The inspiration helped Valencia maintain a positive outlook especially during some of those darker moments of his sentence. Little by little, Valencia adopted the skills that helped him stay occupied and out of trouble.
In addition to beautiful gifts, Valencia also assembles miniature replicas like the 16th century canoes and battle tankers. According to Valencia, he spends hours, days, weeks, and even months working on some projects.
For this artist, staying creative is important for keeping a healthy state of mind and not thinking like a criminal. His art continues to help him, not only reshape his lifestyle, but also embrace better ways of thinking. When he creates, he thinks about his victims and hopes to make amends for those affected.
“I will encourage others to think positive – to seek help and to change their life,” said Valencia. “There are many ways to seek help, and if you’re lost and misbehaving, give yourself the opportunity to learn a trade or be creative so that you won’t be getting into trouble.”
