Arts

The CEO of a major podcasting network, along with other executives, took an eventful trip from the East Coast to meet with the incarcerated men who defeated more than 1,500 entries from 53 countries in a storytelling contest. PRX CEO Kerri Hoffman and Radiotopia Executive Producer Julie Shapiro entered San Quentin State Prison for the first time and met Earlonne Woods and Antwan “Banks” Williams. Previously, the executives had only met Nigel Poor, the co-host and producer of the show Ear Hustle. Poor represents the trio beyond the prison … [Read more...] about SQ inmates’ victory lures the biggies of internet podcasting

By Rahsaan Thomas A group of incarcerated men with no architectural experience, created design ideas for a better America that were displayed in a museum overlooking New York’s Central Park. “It’s surreal. It’s something to be proud of,” said Noah Wright, one of the four incarcerated designers of the Genesis Project. “Sitting in here, you don’t expect that people want to hear what you have to say. It’s a new and exciting feeling.” The Smithsonian’s Cooper Hewitt Museum exhibit displayed more than 60 design ideas about building a better … [Read more...] about SQ artists on display at the Smithsonian

By Juan Haines Teachers and aides with the Prison University Project, at San Quentin, along with inmates and prison staffers, roared with laughter on Dec. 30 to a sing-along spoof of the Twelve Days of Christmas by Alex Brigg. The parody made fun of police harassment as the audience chimed in with, “On the Fifth Day of Christmas, the police brought to me, five DUIs.” The event was part of an annual open-mic of comedy, poetry, spoken word and musical performances by inmates enrolled in the prison’s college. More than 150 people enjoyed the … [Read more...] about PUP’s big open-mic night winds up its year

By Juan Haines A diverse troupe of men, dressed as usual in prison blue, broke away from the everyday constraints of incarceration through the artistic expression of dance and dialogue. San Quentin’s Artistic Ensemble put on its latest performance in the prison’s Protestant Chapel on Nov. 18 for an audience of about 150 that included the local community as well as fellow prisoners. “In our explorations to discover how we can reach the public, we also discover more about what it means to be human by connecting with each other,” the program … [Read more...] about Discovering what it means to be human

By Marcus Henderson In reality TV show fashion, San Quentin residents demonstrated they “got talent,” at the Third Annual Talent and Karaoke event, sponsored by the San Quentin Music Program. As the Lower Yard filled, about 150 people crowded around a makeshift stage to be treated to ’80s-style music by former Club Nouveau member, now incarcerated Jeffery Atkins. Atkins’ keyboard skills dazzled the crowd as they sang along to Club Nouveau classics songs like Situation Number Nine and Jealousy. He also performed Rumors by Timex Social Club. … [Read more...] about There’s sure a whole lot of talent at San Quentin

By Wesley Eisiminger San Quentin artists say they enjoy beautifying the prison with their talents. Their latest project is to create 16 huge mural panels for one of the prison’s dining halls. Each panel measures 7 feet high and 4 feet wide. The finished mural will be 64 feet long. “I’ve been at San Quentin for 12 years, and there are six members of the mural crew who all work together in making this piece of art,” lead muralist Scott Mckinstry said. “Each panel demonstrates a member’s talent.” Painting murals around the prison gives … [Read more...] about SQ Mural Artists Work to Beautify the Prison

By Tommy Winfrey For most incarcerated individuals, prison is a difficult place to leave. But for a group of 20 men on San Quentin’s Death Row, a part of them made it over the walls of the prison and all the way to an art gallery in London. Between Friday, June 24, and Wednesday, July 6, the Made in Greenwich Gallery exhibited poetry and artwork from these men. The show entitled “Art Reach” was the idea of London artist Nicola White, who has a pen pal housed in San Quentin. “My pen-friend sent me some wonderful homemade cards made by … [Read more...] about London Gallery Exhibits Death Row’s Art and Poetry

By Marcus Henderson The Spirit of Freedom II rock concert on The Lower Yard aimed to provide healing through music and it hit the target. The group Continuum rocked out with original music like “Make You Move,” a gritty song about making a woman dance to the music. Lyrics like, “I want to be there; I’ll never let you go and come and show it to me.” had the crowd of about 60 laughing and cheering. The band consisted of Robert Jarrett, guitar/vocals; Leonard “Funky Len” Walker, bass; Chris Koppe, lead slide guitar; and Darryl Farris, … [Read more...] about The Spirit of Freedom II Concert Rocks SQ Lower Yard

By Marcus Henderson The San Quentin Music Program put on a Juneteenth Celebration on the Lower Yard this year. Juneteenth is the celebration of the final slaves being freed from Texas in 1865, two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. “This was a wonderful stress reliever,” said spectator Charles Ross. “It’s a lot of talent locked up. Today shows we might have been knocked down, but we weren’t knocked out.” The band New Syndicate of Funk (NSF) primed the crowd with soul classics by the Dazz … [Read more...] about Musicians Showcase Talent for Juneteenth Celebration