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April 26, 2007

Prison Art Show in Bridgeport

If there was ever a group of people in America who deserve more of our compassion, it's the prison population.

Americans are quick to say "Lock 'em up and throw away the key," or "Send them all to the gas chamber." Politicians, eager for votes, are given to the same tired slogans -- that is. until they wind up in the slammer themselves. Spiro T. Agnew and John Rowland are two that come to mind; there are many others.

In short, they are a group of human beings with no advocates.

From May 3 through May 19, the City Lights Gallery on Markle Court in Downtown Bridgeport will have an exhibit that should not be missed -- the annual Prison Arts Progam show. This is the first time in the show's 29 years that it's made it to Bridgeport, or even Fairfield County, for that matter.

The reception is on Thusday, May 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. Markle Court is a tiny street that runs south from State Street, adjacent to the Playhouse on the Green.

Here's a short video clip featuring Jeffrey Greene, the energetic director of the program, who talks about the show, and offers a little history of the group that sponsors it, which dates back to 1875.

Below are some works that will be in the show.

Greene told me that the art effort was the only such program from the outside that forces inmates to come to grips with their crimes, and to take responsibility for what they have done. "We teach each one of them that they are in control of that piece of paper in front of them -- that they are in control of their lives. The religious programs don't do that."

Posted by john on April 26, 2007 11:03 PM