PRISON ART SYMPOSIUM & Online presence

Field Notes: Prison Art Symposium and What Art Does Behind Closed Doors

Alces supported Paño Connections in preparing the Traveling Prison Art Exhibition, a nationally recognized initiative featuring the Conviction Series by founder Eric “Christo” Martinez alongside works from its permanent collection. The collective fosters dialogue and rehabilitation through art created by incarcerated and formerly incarcerated artists, their families, and communities affected by mass incarceration.

The exhibition highlights traditional prison folk art like panos, crafts, and diverse media reflecting carceral cutlure and resilenc. This exhibition highlights artwork from individuals incarcerated in Wyoming’s five correctional facilities, participants in the Wyoming Pathways from Prison program, Wyoming residents housed out of state, and formerly incarcerated artists.

We are continuing our partnership with Paño Connections, designing and building out their website to make the collection accessible and available beyond the walls of a gallery.

Partners include: Project Director and Co-Curator Dr.Trisha Martinez, Chief Curator Eric “Christo” Martinez, Wyoming Pathways From Prison Program, Correctional Education Programs Director Hailey Speiser, UW Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology, Wyoming Territorial Prison Museum, Gorgon Gallery