Our Story
San Quentin's Prison Arts Project is a role model of community arts programming, funded by the William James Association, a non-profit which has supported arts in California prisons since 1977. The Prison Arts Project at San Quentin has continued despite the ending of the 30-year-old state supported Arts-in-Corrections program in 2010. Inmates who participate regularly in arts programming have significantly lower recidivism (return-to-prison) rates and fewer behavioral problems in prison, which saves the public significant money and is more humane. Since 90% of inmates will parole to our communities, it's important that they've had the opportunity to grow, change and develop skills and self-esteem. (Please visit
www.williamjamesassociation.org for more information.)
The inmate designed mural depicts a fantasy town, providing a beautiful and comforting image for the dining hall; the design is by Scott McKinstry, who will be heading the mural crew for this work. Under the supervision of Patrick Maloney, who has taught at San Quentin for 24 years, the inmates will create a 64' x 7' mural in acrylics. It continues a tradition of dining hall murals, since there is a fantastic historically preserved 600' 6-part mural already there created by Alfredo Santos 60 years ago. (
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/19/arts/design/1...) The mural crew has tremendous talent and experience, and some samples of their previous San Quentin work is in the 'gallery' tab.
The Impact
Mural art in prisons helps reduce tension in a very tense environment. The mural crew and studio also offer a rare sanctuary in prison, where inmates, who are normally segregated by race and other factors, work side by side in peace. The opportunity to create a beautiful, permanent artwork will provide great personal growth for the artists, and help improve the quality of life for the thousands of incarcerated viewers and correctional staff.
What We Need & What You Get
The mural will be done in acrylic paint, and Utrecht Art Supply in Berkeley is offering a 20% discount and free delivery to support this project. All funds will go directly to art supplies through the non-profit William James Association, a 501(c)3. The Marin Community Foundation has again offered a grant to help support the Prison Arts Project, and the grant requires matching funds, so the donations here are doubled by the MCF!
For a $10 contribution, WJA will send you a postcard of thanks; for $25, WJA will send you a 4x6 photo of the mural proposal; for $50, you'll receive a 5x7 photo. For $100 you will receive an original print from the printmaking workshop at San Quentin! Also, Peter Merts, a volunteer photographer will be documenting the mural and its progress, and those images will be posted here and ultimately on the WJA website.
Other Ways You Can Help
Please forward this way to help support a great community art project to your friends through Facebook and email and however else you can!
