Art portrays enhanced version of lived experiences
Adam Thomas, an incarcerated artist, embraced his roots and his appreciation of many styles of art and through multimedia pieces. “Art is so important [a] cause, I can create something that is not there,” said Thomas. “I can turn my feelings into something that I can see and put myself into a story I don’t have direct experience … [Read More...]
Painting provides incarcerated father opportunity to connect with son
For incarcerated father and artist Danny Velasquez, the language of art has continued its singular universality as he found his way of life through his art. His ultimate goal remained to share his story with his family and his beloved son, Little D. At the time of his arrest, his only son had just turned five months old. For his son to grow up … [Read More...]
Virgil Woods hopes artwork will lead to happy ending
San Quentin resident and artist Virgil Woods titled his artistic ways “From sticky fingers to God-gifted hands.” Prior to incarceration, the artist was a moviegoer who loved to watch Batman and felt that the Joker character does not get the credit he deserved for giving Batman hell. “Everything that the Joker touches is a work of art,” … [Read More...]
Art provides a healthy outlet for Michael Andrus
For Michael Andrus, art means freedom from reality because it allows him an outlet for change and a way to be in tune with his creativity. Andrus, recognizes how art has been a temperately reproach of getting away from prison drama. He named his pieces “Leaders of Destruction,” and stated,“ I painted this piece to state that in America, … [Read More...]
Blas ‘Frank’ Chavez finds freedom through poetic expression
Poetry is not the exception to the rules of perfection. One can find their freedom by the way he/she/they/them chooses to live life behind bars. Blas “Frank” Chavez, (no relation to the interviewer) has been incarcerated for over eight years. A poet at heart, Chavez tries to find his own freedom through the narrative of his … [Read More...]
Violin program provides space for authenticity and non-judgment
An incarcerated-led music program conducts weekly lessons teaching residents basic and technical violin skills. The entry-level class takes place every Tuesday morning from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in San Quentin’s Chapel C. The course’s participants are issued written permission notification slips, authorizing them to be loaned a violin, bow, … [Read More...]
Chalk artists cover Lower Yard with healthy creative expressions
San Quentin medical staff and resident artists, teamed up on the facility’s Lower Yard to promote “Art Health and Wellness” through creative expression. All levels of artistic ability and mistakes were welcome, showing attendees how to process emotions, through improving their coping skills in order to reduce stress. “I’m so impressed by the … [Read More...]
Resident Gabino Madera highlights Chicano culture through art
Art is just another way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. For artists like SQRC resident Gabino Madera, creativity comes as a form of connecting the dots with his roots by sketching out a collage of Mexican culture and Chicano art that blends the past with the present of what he considers his culture. This artist created a drawing … [Read More...]
Martin Rodríguez García creates happiness out of bread and water
El arte y la cultura, es moldeada por medio de la arena, pan, agua, pegamento, cera de piso (Wax), y claro también con el papel del baño. Para este residente, del Centro de Rehabilitación Martin Rodríguez García, el arte le ayuda a poder estar ocupado. Le ayuda con su salud mental de acuerdo a sus palabras, el recibe la felicidad de otros … [Read More...]
Former CSP Lancaster resident turns screenplay into film
TheatreWorkers Project screened “STAND!” a filmed spoken-word and movement piece based on writing by residents of CSP-LAC/ Lancaster’s A Yard on June 9, 2024. “STAND!” was performed by Deon Whitmore, John Njoroge, and Ernst Fenelon, Jr., each of whom has lived experience. Deon was a TWP participant while at Lancaster State Prison and was one of the … [Read More...]
Residents submit artwork to encourage flu vaccinations
As Covid considerations have faded, for San Quentin residents, the memories and impact from the pandemic has remained prevalent when deciding whether preventive measures to combat the influenza are safe, effective — or even necessary. Seasonal influenza viruses are detected year-round but flu activity has usually peaked between December and … [Read More...]
Artist Anand Alexander connects to nature, world, and self through art
Art is another way to connect and to communicate with nature, the world, and one’s higher self. “The rumor is that I was painting with my fingers even before I could talk,” said Anand Jon Alexander. “My grandmother, yoga, and the temple walls of India, inspired my creative of expressions.” According to the artist, art is a powerful tool for … [Read More...]
Pink Floyd lyrics inspired artistic style
Motivated by the famous rock band Pink Floyd’s lyrics of “Echoes,” Kevin Shepler, a resident of San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, brought alive a one-of-a-kind piece of art. “This vision came to me in 1990’s before I could draw,” said Shepler. “I finally got to draw this about a year an a half a go. I was listening to ‘Echoes,’ One of the lines … [Read More...]
‘Mind soaring and heart reeling:’ Residents applaud poet Tshaka Campbell
The San Quentin library hosted poet Tshaka Campbell on the evening of Juneteenth with a showcase of his works. Campbell kicked off the night by reciting six self-describing, deeply personal poems detailing the African-American experience with slavery and oppression. His reading received a standing ovation by the nearly 50 residents in … [Read More...]
Drama therapy program offers a deep understanding of personal trauma
Prison theater programs promote incarcerated persons to explore traumas and to address them in the form of drama therapy. Maura Tarnoff, an English lecturer at Santa Clara University, has been bringing students to San Quentin Rehabilitation Center to participate in Shakespeare workshops, according to Santa Clara University. The … [Read More...]
La exposición de arte de bordado
Por Guillermo Hernández Y Adan Arriaga, Spanish Journalism Guild Writers Los trabajos de manualidades han causado un impacto positivo para los residentes en el Centro de Rehabilitación de San Quentin. En la biblioteca del CRSQ, se preparan para la primera exposición de arte del programa aguja de punto y serán exhibidas 17 … [Read More...]
Multi-talented resident youth inspires
Rap artist looks to make good on his talents once released from prison Tierney “TJ” Shellmyer Jr., 26, has been incarcerated since 2023; he was sentenced to two years and a half years for great bodily injury. He arrived at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center on March 20, 2024. “A goal of mine is to get my life back, have a perfect … [Read More...]
Resident paroles after serving the prison community using art to release hurt in healthy way
After serving 25 years in prison, more than half at San Quentin, Bruce Fowler said he looked forward to reuniting with family, especially his daughter and grandchildren. Fowler dedicated himself to service in the community and left lasting favorable impressions on residents and staff who met him. Despite the tattoos and his 6’3” size, … [Read More...]
Local band The Lemon Hammer performs classics for residents in Chapel A
There was dancing in the aisles and the playing of air drums during the foot-stomping and heart-pounding rock concert in San Quentin’s Chapel A on Saturday evening, March 16. “Rock and Roll is here to stay,” sang Danny and the Juniors back in 1958. They were right, as experienced by a demure yet enthusiastic crowd that enjoyed the variety … [Read More...]
Artist Jose ‘J.D.’ Diaz draws with photo realism skill
Incarcerated artist Jose “J. D.” Diaz started taking drawing seriously about three years ago. When he first started sketching, he did not know in which direction he wanted to go. He recently started painting. According to Diaz, his art resembles life itself. Much like a working on canvas or sketching, it captures “the impermanence aspiring … [Read More...]
Origami genius, resident Daniel Le increases creativity, enhances mental wellness
Resident artist discusses how the Japanese art form translates to rehabilitation For Daniel Le, origami started as a curiosity. Having watched origami artists on YouTube videos inspired him to learn more about the art form. Eventually, Le created a signature piece of origami art — fireworks. “When I am doing origami I am thinking on … [Read More...]
Resident artist resentenced and released under 1172.1(a)
The process took months. It required dozens of telephone calls to lawyers. It required a lot of legal mail, both sent and received. It also required much hope. In the end, the effort – and the hope – paid off. Former San Quentin resident Luciano Borjas said he received a resentencing under 1172.1(a). Just prior to his departure from San Quentin, … [Read More...]
Ray Ochoa finds new purpose in life through his quality art
Art begins with creation through imagination and, for Ray Ochoa, through his motivation to make a living. Ochoa’s art began with a sponsor who once had worked as an artist and now owns art galleries in San Francisco and Hawaii. That sponsor was the first to encourage him to create art. “I learned to draw by looking over the shoulders of … [Read More...]
Hunger pains encouraged Moises Ramos to set sail for artistic future
Driven by hunger, the need for means to survive inside a prison walls gave life to innovation and creativity displayed in hidden gems of art. In 2015, California sent Moises Ramos and many other prisoners to Arizona because of overcrowding in CDCR facilities. He had left his family and loved ones and did not have the means even to purchase … [Read More...]
Prison art exhibit gains traction
Prison art exhibitions bring public awareness to incarcerated people’s experiences and are truly worth more than a thousand words, according to The Marshall Project. One art exhibition included an “Federal Prison Inmate Activity Book” that resembled a child’s activity book. The book included word puzzles using terms like “larceny” and … [Read More...]