CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Shepaug Valley High School: Student to Present Arts in Prison Project

Voices - 4/18/2018

WASHINGTON - Shepaug Valley High School senior and artist Sierra Soletsky will present her senior project, "Arts in Prison," through an exhibition of artwork done by prison inmates from Wednesday, April 25, to Monday, April 30, at the Gunn Memorial Library, 5 Wykeham Rd.

Her project reflects her interests in art and pursuing a law enforcement career. She discovered "Arts in Prison," a program founded in 1993 at the Lansing Correctional Facility in Kansas where the recidivism rate for AIP participants is half the usual rate in Kansas.

Sierra assembled the exhibition of their artwork and will have a reception at noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 28.

"I didn't correspond with the prisoners," said Sierra. "The director asked them my questions, sent me their artwork as well as their writings about the program and what it's done for them."

AIP-trained volunteers visit prisons to teach a variety of art classes including drawing, painting, sculpting and multi-media. In addition to Lansing, the AIP program has expanded to the U.S. Federal Detention Center in Leavenworth and the Topeka Correctional Facility for Women.

"Most rehabilitation programs across the country focus on only one art form, but Arts in Prison offers a large variety because not every art form appeals to everyone," said Sierra. "Everyone needs to be involved in the arts."

AIP has conducted special programs for the Johnson County Residential Center as well as the Johnson County and Wyandotte Juvenile Detention Centers.

"From what I have seen and read, there is evidence that AIP is really working," said Sierra. "The prisoners use the arts as a way to channel their feelings a way to change and control their actions. They have learned how to be part of a community, how to see change in themselves and what it means to be respected as a person."

Those seeking additional information may call 860-868-7586 or email gunnstaff@biblio.org.