Art with a Second Chance: Online Prison Art Store Opens to Showcase Work
ALABARÉ is supporting the rehabilitation and wellbeing of prisoners across the country, such as those in HMPs Erlestoke in Wiltshire, The Verne in Dorset and Isle of Wight in Hampshire, through the Prison Art Project.
ALABARÉ is supporting the rehabilitation and wellbeing of prisoners across the country, such as those in HMPs Erlestoke in Wiltshire, The Verne in Dorset and Isle of Wight in Hampshire, through our Prison Art Project.
Participants are provided with art materials, such as acrylics, pencils, watercolours and pastels, which are used to create a variety of pieces that are then sold online, with 50% of the proceeds going towards the artist and 50% used to fund the purchase of materials.
ALABARÉ has issued around 70 art packs so far to 37 prisons across England and Wales, including both men’s and women’s prisons as well as Young Offender Institutions.
How is Prison Art helping the rehabilitation of prisoners?
The Prison Art project is giving inmates a creative outlet to channel their energies into positive and meaningful activities, continuing the mission of the Burnbake Project established in the 1960s.
They’re developing new skills, enabling personal growth and sparking imagination for their future selves, which moves them away from the criminal justice system and potential reoffending.
Official Government statistics show that 13% of all prison leavers are released into homelessness – the equivalent of around 1,000 people every month.
Having contact with ALABARÉ through the Prison Art Project during their time inside raises awareness of the housing and pastoral support also offered by the charity, making them more likely to reach out for further help.
One participant, who’s currently based at HMP Rye Hill in Warwickshire, has submitted artwork created through the Prison Art Project to the national Koestler Arts Awards, the UK’s leading awards scheme for arts within the criminal justice system.
The piece, a jewellery box made entirely from lolly sticks, sealed with lacquer and decorated using acrylic paints, achieved the Silver Award for Craft, after being chosen from over 7,000 entries.
The recognition has helped to build the participant’s creative identity and provide motivation to continue working on more intricate and detailed pieces, which are available for sale through the online store.
They said: “I will try my best to win the Gold Award next year!”
How to buy Prison Art
ALABARÉ has made buying prison art easy by launching its online shop. The collection of artworks, showcasing the talents of the participants, is also being regularly updated as pieces are submitted by the artists.
Laura Joy, Manager of ALABARÉ’s Prison Art Project, said:
“I’m delighted that participants are having their artworks seen outside of their cells and internal art classes. Many of the pieces have some incredible personal stories behind them and capture a worldview that’s often hidden.
“Seeing their pieces sold gives the artists a huge sense of pride and can really benefit their self-esteem, showing them that their creativity can be a route out of their existing situation. ALABARÉ’s mission is to break the cycle of homelessness, and through the Prison Art Project, there’s also the potential to break the cycle of criminality and offending. Every purchase made through the e-shop could be transformational for the artist and give them a more fulfilling future.”
You can email l.joy@alabare.co.uk for details about volunteering opportunities with the Project.
Visit the Prison Art Project shop HERELATEST NEWS
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