Exhibit runs May 4 to May 29

Opening reception: Sunday May 4 from 4-6pm

IRAA Celebration & Open Mic: Tuesday May 6 from 6-8pm

Artist Talk & Market: Wednesday May 14 from 7-9pm

Closing Reception: Sunday May 25 from 5-7pm

Open during all events, or email us to schedule a different time to view

charcoal drawing by curator and client-artist LaVander Williams

Beauty Behind Bars: The Transformative Power of Art in Confinement presents a collection of evocative, poignant and beautiful pieces created by incarcerated artists, each a powerful meditation on resilience, hope, and the human capacity for change. This groundbreaking exhibit allows audiences to see beyond prison walls into artists’ lives, shaped by reflection and the quest for connection through their enduring creativity. Curated by a formerly incarcerated artist and a public defender, this exhibit strives to affirm the humanity of incarcerated artists and demonstrate art’s profound and curative roles in the lives of people who have lost their freedom. Each piece challenges stereotypes and the all too unforgiving narratives about incarcerated persons. They bear witness to the transformative and redemptive power of art, even in the most inhumane of conditions.

Curated by:
Anokhi Shah and LaVander Williams

Sponsored by:
The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia and the Returning Citizens Assistance Network (RCAN)

Featuring:
Visual art, poetry, and performances by currently incarcerated people and returning citizens from D.C.