The second San Quentin Film Festival is officially scheduled to return to San Quentin Rehabilitation Center later this year on October 23 and 24.  This fall, for two days, film-industry insiders will once again converge on the 173-year-old San Quentin to connect with incarcerated filmmakers, a repeat performance of last year’s historic … [Read More...]

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 … [Read More...]

3-D style portrays character standing on his own Jack Anderwald, started drawing when he was 10. Now as an adult he decided to take it to a whole different level by incorporating his own 3-D style. The artist pointed out how he goes out of his way by carefully cutting out card stock into the shapes of every character that he creates. He wants … [Read More...]

For some incarcerated artists, art comes from a blood line.  As a new resident to SQ, Daryl Harmon, have been going through prison culture shock.  “When I first got here I wanted to watch this new cultural atmosphere and wait for the authenticity before I put myself out to this new movement,” Harmon said.  The artist has been drawing … [Read More...]

Meikel Cooper quickly assimilated into the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center’s culture of recovery by bridging the gap through artwork and communication.  Cooper stated that art has helped make connections with residents, free staff educators, prison officials, and correctional officers by attending self-help groups. He said that art has … [Read More...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]