In April, prison artists transformed the dreary walls of imprisonment into a message of beauty and a commitment to change.
Patrick Maloney, who instructs the San Quentin Prison Arts Project, directed prisoners Ben Ballard, Steve Smith, Roy Gilstrap, Chadrick Tobias, and Thomas Winfrey in creating 19 paintings to cover the walls of the North Block clinic. Nurse Jamie Molina requested the project.
“Each painting sends a message of hope and that beauty can be found even in prison,” Winfrey said. “This artwork is a unique creation, born to communicate a message from the artist, and it allows the viewer to see the world from our perspective.”