Arts in Corrections showcased at Fresno City Hall

September 6, 2019

Colorful birds painted by an inmate at Valley State Prison.

Art created by students drew over 80 people to Fresno City Hall as part of the monthly ArtHop program. The difference between these artists and most others is they are all incarcerated at five regional state correctional institutions.

Incarcerated art students show work

The public viewed 68 works of art created by the incarcerated art-class students.

Downtown Fresno and the Tower District are home to over 60 participating artist studios, galleries, museums, and other venues. They exhibit artists’ work and host open galleries free to the public the first and third Thursday of each month. Fresno City Hall exhibits are curated by the Fresno Arts Council.

This is the second year the council has showcased work created by those in the Arts in Corrections program. The rehabilitative program is made possible by the California Arts Council and CDCR.

Included in this exhibition were 18 works done on paper and canvas by those in the painting class taught by Robert Amador at Valley State Prison. The exhibition was displayed the entire month of July.

Learn more about California Arts in Corrections.

By Lt. David Barksdale