'Someday We'll All Be Free:' Youth Art Exhibit Opens March 2
release date: February 21, 2018
The Seattle Public Library, 4 Culture, Creative Justice and other partners are proud to present the youth art exhibition "Someday We'll All Be Free." The opening event will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, March 2 at Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Ave., Suite 3300.
The paintings and photos in "Someday We'll All Be Free" build a much-needed public dialogue about mass incarceration. The art on display provides evocative answers to the questions: How can we create a society healthy enough that we do not need prisons? What does it mean to be free?
Along with original art from Creative Justice mentor artists and youth, this exhibit is complemented by community portraits from Naomi Ishisaka and infographics about the impact of mass incarceration. Additionally, some pieces incorporate work from members of the Black Prisoners Caucus at the Washington State Reformatory at Monroe.
This exhibit is a culminating project for the Library’s recent criminal justice series, which offered community-centered reflections on the steep impacts of mass incarceration.
About the Creative Justice Program
Creative Justice is an award-winning program that offers community-based alternatives to juvenile detention. It helps court-involved young people to stay in their communities and out of jail. Using social justice values, Creative Justice is redefining the notion of what justice is so that communities are centered in the equation and youth are treated in human and caring ways.
Mentor artists work with youth participants to consider the root causes of incarceration like racism and other oppressions while encouraging their creativity and self-expression. Programmatically, Creative Justice makes intentional space for youth to realize how they can play positive roles in the community and how to use their voices to help build a more equitable society.
The exhibit was created by the youth leadership board of Creative Justice, which is made up of past Creative Justice participants. The artists are part of an art program that builds community with young people who are most affected by mass incarceration. The board members use their creativity and vision to help shape the direction of the program.
This exhibit is made possible with support from The Seattle Public Library Foundation, 4Culture, the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture and the Seattle Foundation Resilience Fund.