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| Benoist |
by LAURA TABOR
Lifestyles Reporter
What would you do with your time if you were in prison?
For some inmates, this time is one of self-reflection, and in local prisons that self-reflection has found an artistic outlet in the form of painting and drawing in art classes.
The Appalachian State University student chapter of the American Correctional Association (ACA) is hosting an Inmate Art Show tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Blue Ridge Ballroom of Plemmons Student Union.
This is the first time the event will be held, but the ACA hopes to make it an annual event.
The idea for the art show came from ACA Co-President and senior psychology major Lauren N. Benoist.
“We have
a vested interest in rehabilitation in prison,” Benoist said. “This not
only gives our fairly new organization some exposure, but also gives
students a look at how in-prison rehabilitation can work.”
The event will showcase 20 pieces of inmate artwork from local prisons, as well as the Louisiana State Penitentiary.
Erin L.
Cooke, co-president of the ACA and a senior psychology major, presented
a paper at a national ACA conference and was able to see the Louisiana
State Penitentiary while she was there.
“We
wanted to showcase one of the outlets that we saw for inmates,” Cooke
said. “[At Louisiana State Penitentiary] they build, they make
sculptures, they have a rodeo and their own radio station.”
Appalachian is one of only a few schools to have student chapters of the ACA.
The organization is centered on criminal justice, but anyone interested in the field can join, regardless of major.
“It can
be difficult to pull an event together and get students and the
community involved,” Cooke said. “With this event, we decided to bring
the community to the students. It is definitely an awareness event.”
The
organization also goes on tours of prisons and coordinates events like
an Inmate Family Day where particular inmates can spend a day at a
barbecue with their families.
While
the art show is free, donations will be accepted for Western Youth
Network, a local organization that works with at-risk youth.
“The
artists know their artwork will draw donations for at-risk youth,”
Benoist said. “They are making an impact on their community without
being in the community—they are doing it from behind bars.”
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