My first art class in Prison

I taught my first art class today at the Iowa Correctional Institute for Women. I was quite nervous at first and was very unsure of what to expect. There are so many misconceptions about prisoners and their behaviors. They are often built up to be these raving thugs, who are out to make your life hell. However, as I experienced today, nothing could be further from the truth.

The women in my class were there by choice and as a result were very cooperative, friendly and eager to learn. I started my presentation covering the basics of what art was and what I intended this class to focus on. I then started my class on “What do you do when you only have a pen”. The purpose of this class was to teach them how to use a notebook and a pen to express emotion and use the notebooks into which they can channel their worries, nightmares and thoughts. I explained to them that “the notebooks are intended to be your other brain and the pen is the extension of that brain.” We explored the meaning of lines and how to create designs and how to express emotions through those lines. Some were left to their own devises and gladly embraced autonomous creativity, while other struggled between getting the drawing right as opposed to expressing. The class of 8 women was small enough so that I was able to go around and personally interact with all of them and help them individually.

It was an extremely fulfilling experience. Not only was I thoroughly impressed with each individuals creative abilities and visual talents, I was thrilled when a few started out with “Miss, I can’t do this. This looks screwed up.” To “I actually like what I did.” I was also especially pleased when one girl piped up and said that most people who come and teach are not “ prison material”. “They get scared that we are gonna attack ‘em or someth’in. But you miss, you’re doin’ great.” I certainly felt great, confident and sure of what I knew and what I was doing, which doesn’t happen too often. Best of all, I really felt like these women were enjoy themselves.

It just felt right. I know that it will take more than one class to figure out if this really what I am cut out for, but this was something that brought me incredible joy and fulfillment. I will be going back tomorrow and holding studio hours so we shall see how that goes. In the meantime, I am so so so pleased that I have this chance to teach what I love and use it to help others!

(Examples of art expression from my personal journal, that I used for my class.)