Art for Justice Exhibits

Art for Justice exhibits inmate art to stimulate civic dialogue about the issues of violence, crime and incarceration. The artists have reached within to make creative responses while incarcerated. They share their works to bring public awareness to the need for changes that will create a more equitable, effective, and humane Criminal Justice System.

Since 1997 Art for Justice artworks have been displayed in exhibits in 49 venues, a few of which include the Community College of Philadelphia, Temple University, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pendle Hill, Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, Berean Presbyterian Church, White Dog Café, etc.

Widener University's Art Gallery
Art for Justice: Incarcerated Artists’ Creations from Within

The Show Presents:
August 30 – October 15, 2011
Opening Reception: September 15, 4 – 7pm
Spoken Word Presentation, 5pm

The exhibit was the 50th display of Art for Justice works in a public venue. Widener Director of Collections, Rebecca Warda, said that the Art for Justice exhibit drew one of the highest attendances for the Art Gallery.

The Opening Reception for the Widener Exhibit was held on September 15, at 5pm in the Lobby of the Student Center. Art for Justice gave a Spoken Word Presentation that included poems and narratives by the artists and advocates. One of the readers was Cameron Holmes, Poet, Musician, and Life Skills Coach whose successful career path follows 16 years of incarceration in Pennsylvania. Another reader was Ivan Serrano, who spent 18 years incarcerated for a crime he did not commit.

Art for Justice also organized a Presentation for the public that included guest speakers, Rep. Ron Waters, the Chairman of Pennsylvania’s Legislative Black Caucus and William DiMascio, the Ex. Director of the Pennsylvania Prison Society. Both Presenters detailed the pressing need for positive change in the Criminal Justice and Corrections Systems in Pennsylvania.

Widener Law Professor, Len Sosnov,
honored for his Legal Assistance for Wrongly Convicted

The Presentation concluded with Art for Justice honoring Len Sosnov, a Widener Law Professor who has represented individuals on behalf of Centurion Ministries, a Princeton, New Jersey.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to freeing innocent people sentenced to life imprisonment or death.

In his 21 years as a criminal law professor on Widener’s Delaware campus, Sosnov’s work with Centurion Ministries has brought about the release of four inmates who had long maintained their innocence. Most recently, in 2011, after 15 years of litigation, he and co-counsel secured the court-ordered release of a man held for more than 45 years. In two other cases, after 10 years of court battles, inmates held more than two decades gained their freedom after new trials were granted. Finally, in the fourth case, Sosnov found long-forgotten physical evidence in a 13-year-old rape case, and arranged for DNA testing. Test results showed sperm on the evidence did not belong to the defendant, who was ultimately released from prison.

Art for Justice presented Sosnov with a painting titled “The Wall” The painting was created by artist Daniel Gwynn, who is on death row in Pennsylvania. It depicts a lawyer reaching over a prison wall, to make contact with an inmate.

 “Being involved in freeing a long-imprisoned innocent person is always bittersweet but also very gratifying,” he said. “This work defines why I chose to become a lawyer in the first place. I really appreciate being honored with the gift of this painting.”

The Presentation concluded with Sosnov’s discussion about the systemic flaws in the criminal justice system that lead to wrongful convictions.

Open Mic at Widener University

The Widener Exhibit concluded on October 15 with an Open Mic for students and community. The event was organized by Gallery Assistant, Gabrielle Fairfax who successfully enticed seven passionate individuals to stand and share their words with the assembled guests.

Mural Arts Exhibit
Art for justice displayed new works by Charles Lawson during the Mural Arts Annual Inmate Art Exhibit in February/March, 2011.

University of Pennsylvania Law School Visual Legal Advocacy Roundtable
Art for Justice was invited to exhibit artworks at the University of Pennsylvania Law School’s Fourth Visual Legal Advocacy Roundtable on October 22, 2010. The event featured panelists from the Legal and Arts Communities engaging in dialogue about the used of Visual Imagery to promote social justice. Art for Justice’s display included works by six artists, some of whom claim actual innocence.

“INSIDE/OUTSIDE”
Art in City Hall
August 2 – October 29, 2010

Presented by: Art in City Hall Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy In collaboration with The City of Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program with support from Art in City Hall Advisory Council, the Ford Foundation, SCI Graterford and Philacor – the Philadelphia Prison System

Art for Justice is displaying artworks in the “INSIDE/OUTSIDE” exhibit joining with other artists from SCI Graterford, The Philadelphia Prison System, Snyderman-Works Galleries, Correction Training Services, The City of Philadelphia’s Youth Violence Reduction Program, The Guild, and local ex-offenders.