San Quentin News

Written By Incarcerated - Advancing Social Justice

Arts

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

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David Hernandez re-purposing everyday scraps into art gems  All art has unique ingredents. San Quentin resident David Hernandez creates sports logos and handbags from common materials that anyone else would consider useless and throw away. He has adopted the concept of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle as an artistic credo.  “I learned these … [Read More...]

‘SE CELEBRA LA PAZ EN SAN QUENTIN’

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Por Willy Alarcón Spanish Journalism Guild yEdwin E. Chavez Spanish Journalism Chair Después de una ausencia de dos años por la pandemia, el Día De La Paz regresó a San Quentin a toda pompa.  El evento comenzó temprano, trayendo largas filas de reclusos anticipando recibir sus bolsas de obsequios llenos de aperitivos, gracias a la … [Read More...]

SQ MARIN SHAKESPEARE PLAY CONFRONTS THE TREATMENT OF WOMEN

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The Marin Shakespeare class at San Quentin continued its tradition of performing classic plays from the English bard’s portfolio. On June 30, it was a Caribbean-themed interpretation of Shakespeare’s comedy, "The Taming of the Shrew."  The event in the Garden Chapel also featured a discussion about how San Quentin can transform into a … [Read More...]

FORMERLY INCARCERATED FILMMAKER WINS AWARD

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ADAMU CHAN WINS DIRECTOR DEBUT FOR 'WHAT THESE WALLS WON'T HOLD A formerly incarcerated documentary filmmaker, who honed his skills in San Quentin’s media center, has won an award from the oldest film festival in the nation.  Adamu Chan, director of the film “What These Walls Won’t hold,” received the Golden Gate Award for best mid-length … [Read More...]

ANOTHER MAN’S TREASURES

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DAVID CALDERON TAKESCONTROL OF HIS MENTALHEALTH THROUGH HIS CRAFT San Quentin resident David Calderon, 38, showcases his artistry by creating sports hats out of writing paper and cardboard.  He created his hats with a variety of team sports logos at the request of other incarcerated men here at San Quentin; teams like the Dodgers, 49ers, … [Read More...]

ART & KRIMES: FILM EXAMINES NEXUS OF ART AND REHABILITATION 

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“Artists are definitely treated different in prison — ‘cause you provide something real that humanizes people and connects people to their family, which makes them feel valuable.”  The quote above is from the documentary Art & Krimes by Jesse Krimes, screened in San Quentin’s Protestant Chapel Feb. 17.  The film, directed by … [Read More...]

PEACE REIGNS ON THE LOWER YARD

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SAN QUENTIN TRADITION PERSONIFIES POSITIVE CHANGE, NEARS HOLIDAY STATUS The San Quentin community hosted its annual Day of Peace on July 1. Peace, love, and unity permeated the air as residents, staff, program volunteers and community members gathered to enjoy the sun, music and camaraderie.  The event commenced with the SQ Color Guard … [Read More...]

OLD SCHOOL

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LUCIANO BORJAS BRINGS LOWRIDER CULTURE BACK TO LIFE Art promotes peace and tranquility in those who allow their skills and imagination to flourish inside prison walls. Luciano Borjas has found peace in drawing cars, sceneries and portraits.  The artist’s passion helps foster his personal growth while enhancing relationships with friends and … [Read More...]

Andrew Wadsworth finds healing with each stroke of the paintbrush

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Andrew Wadsworth began his incarceration as a 16-year-old. He admits that his path to adulthood has had its challenges. Now 38, he’s in the early stages of realizing that a paintbrush is an excellent way to express himself.  “It’s hard for me to express myself without coming off arrogant,” Wadsworth said. “With abstract painting there are lots … [Read More...]

Stitch-wiz Ezekiel Gonzalez inspired by love for his daughters

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“My two daughters Jacklynn and Lilly were the ones that inspired me to create these teddy bears,” said Ezekiel Gonzalez, 51, a resident of San Quentin.  Gonzalez’s talent seems anything but ordinary inside prison walls. He sews handmade teddy bears and stuffs them with cotton, a craft and its products not often seen in a world of metal and … [Read More...]

WATERLINES

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The Golden Gate Ferry leaves San Quentin in its wake.Beneath pastel skies, a scene of incongruent beautyunfolds as the sun sets behind the 170-year-old facility.For families of San Quentin’s 4,000-plus residents,West Block’s outer facade reflects a daunting, impenetrablefortress, where loved ones struggle to keep hope aliveunder the watchful gaze … [Read More...]

One of SQ’s newest artists honors lives lost to COVID

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“I am a person who wants to bring happiness to all, by placing a smile on people’s face, a shimmering of hope,” said Shelley Small, a new San Quentin arrival. The artist considers himself a person with multiple talents, who is a caring and giving person.  One of his goals is to bring out the hidden talents that others’ might have. Showing … [Read More...]