OUTSIDE DESIGNED CONVICTION THE MAGAZINE JAN 2020

OUTSIDE DESIGNED CONVICTION THE MAGAZINE |
25
A connection with Art
by Paul Thorsteinson
At times, prison is a confining and restrictive place. The bars and
the lockdowns are not always conducive to freedom or creativity.
However, this day was no ordinary day. Sixty artists filed into the
facility visiting room hauling paintings, drawings, leatherwork,
beadwork, ceramics, wood crafts, and sculptures. Within minutes,
the Stafford Creek family visit room was transformed to an art
exhibition center. Each artist meticulously designed his station to
illustrate and present his craft. In the center of the room, one artist
stacked chairs on top of his table in a pillar of artistic opulence. His
paintings leaned against the chairs, traveling upward in a tower of
decadent dedication to the arts.
Completely open to the community, Stafford Creek’s second
annual Art Exhibition had art curators, museum representatives,
journalists, and even some curious people that trickled in from the
surrounding community.
However, the art show wasn’t the real story of the day. The real
story was what many of the men were doing with their art. Scott
H. was one of those men. He had a table entirely dedicated to
an organization called Gold Star Moms. Their organization aids
mothers and families that have lost loved ones during their
service for our country. Scott and his associates build customized
handcrafted jewelry boxes and patriotic memorabilia. They donate
a hundred percent of what they make to commemorate the lives
of fallen soldiers and show honor to the people that loved them.
Paul W. had a fortress of wooden toys surrounding him. His area
took up the entire corner of the visiting room. He was representing
Toy Time which has donated hand made toys and art to the
surrounding community for over a decade. Much of the donated
items have gone to orphanages, charity auctions, and the children’s
advocacy center.
Billy D. had a table with hand made teddy bears for Bear From
Behind Bars. In conjunction with Good Bears of the World, the teddy
bears from Bears From Behind Bars go all over the surrounding
community and typically end up in the arms of children or others
in need. He and a number of other contributors painstakingly
sew and manufacture each bear by hand in order to be there for
people who need healing and restoration.
One outside attendee was representing a restorative justice-based
art auction called Unguarded. All of the funds raised would be
going to organizations that aid victims of domestic violence.
The complexity of Stafford Creek’s Art Exhibition extends past the
incarcerated merely sharing their art. What was truly prevalent
that day was the connection and contribution to the community
in the form of altruistic service, art auctions, and fundraisers. The
exhibition illustrated how incarcerated men are transforming
themselves through expression, and are finding dynamic ways to
restore harms and heal communities.
Paul
Thorsteinson
Paul Thorsteinson #807019
SCCC H6A-03
191 Constantine Way
Aberdeen, WA 98520