For the spring 2024 art exhibition at the Colorado State Capitol, Prison Art Experience and Impact Arts have partnered to produce Creating Community in Confinement. This exhibition features work by artists that are currently or were formerly incarcerated in the state of Colorado, all reflecting on their experience of community while serving time and the important ways that art-making and creativity can foster a sense of connection.

The eleven artworks selected to hang in the Capitol Rotunda respond in various ways to the following questions: What communities do you feel yourself to be a part of, both inside and outside of prison? How does one build and maintain community inside prison? What role might art and creativity play in that process? What barriers have you faced (if any) in finding or building community?

Prison Art Experience, founded by an artist with lived experience in the Colorado prison system, provides a platform for currently and formerly incarcerated artists to showcase their artwork and earn equitable income. Impact Arts is a volunteer organization committed to supporting justice-impacted artists and curating art exhibitions around topics related to mass incarceration. Both organizations firmly believe that art has the power to transform lives and shift perspectives.

Artists with work on view throughout the State Capitol include:
Remy Ackerson, Tarry Carneal, Hector Castillo, Cayla Cushman, Karena Cecil, Lindsy Elizondo, Shii Emde, Adam Fulford (Atticus), HEAL (Lynell Hill), Shawna Hockaday, Liz Hoffschneider, Cubaniqua Lawrence, Angelica Macias-Williams, Sean Marshall, Joseph Taylor McGill, Roohallah Mobarez, Monique, Phillip "Mike" Montoya, Kelsea Pone-Wall, Mario Rios, Katie Solko, Katie Southworth, Emily Strunk, ABSTRAKT AEOLA (Dustin Ware), Harrison Williams, and Robert Zeigler, Sr.

Exhibition Curators: Lillian Stannard, Roohallah Mobarez and Sarah McKenzie

COLORADO STATE CAPITOL EXHIBITION 2024

From prison walls to state capitol halls!

Team Members