Art x press release art of the incarcerated

356 East 3rd Street Long Beach, CA 90802 562-­491-­0278 arthappens@artexchangelb.org www.artexchangelb.org

356 East 3rd Street Long Beach, CA 90802 562-­491-­0278 arthappens@artexchangelb.org www.artexchangelb.org

WHO

ArtExchange and the Office of Restorative Justice

WHAT

Exhibition: Art of the Incarcerated – Faith and Hope Beyond Prison Walls

WHERE

ArtExchange, 356 E 3rd St, Long Beach, CA 90802

WHEN

Exhibition opens on March 7th to a select audience. (see schedule below for specific dates for special exhibition events)

CONTACT

Nicolassa Galvez, CEO of the ArtExchange at Nicolassa.Galvez@ArtExchangeLB.org / 562 999 1482

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The ArtExchange is hosting an exhibition in collaboration with the Office of Restorative Justice of the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles that will showcase various artists’ who have been incarcerated or are currently in prisons and jails throughout California. Artwork will be for sale, proceeds will fund programs for children whose parents are incarcerated and inmate re-entry support.

The Office of Restorative Justice just held their 7th exhibit at Homeboy Industries last October. This collaboration will be the FIRST time the artwork has been shown in Long Beach!

Artist: Richard Dooley (life in prison) Title: Self Portrait Medium: Ink on a pillowcase Institution: Pelican Bay Shu

Artist: Michael Camarina Title: Dance with Death Medium: Color Pencil Institution: Pelican Bay Shu

Artist: Anonymous Title: Whale Medium: Wood Carving Institution: Correctional Training Facility

356 East 3rd Street Long Beach, CA 90802 562-­491-­0278 arthappens@artexchangelb.org www.artexchangelb.org

Schedule of Events • Monday, February 24th, 11am-2pm o Exhibition Prep: Office of Restorative Justice program participants will help prep gallery for exhibition • Thursday, February 27th, 11am-2pm o Exhibition Prep: Office of Restorative Justice program participants will help prep gallery for exhibition • Tuesday, March 4th, 11am-2pm o Exhibition Prep: Office of Restorative Justice program participants will help prep gallery for exhibition • Friday, March 7th, 7-9pm o “Arte: Vida en Muerte”: By invite only – VIP attendees will be the first to view the artwork and have the opportunity to purchase. There will be a limited selection of prints of featured artists for each attendee.

• Saturday March 8th, 6-10pm o Saturday Art Walk: This will be the first opportunity for the community to view and purchase the art work. o Welcome and Introductions at 7pm: Representatives from the Office of Restorative Justice will welcome the community and provide a history of the origin of the art show that was founded over 7 years ago.

• Saturday, March 22nd, 1pm-6pm o Blackbook Sessions, Black Book Sessions is a non-profit organization committed to

empowering and inspiring young talented minds. Event includes youth art contest and scholarship, live painting, educational workshops and art activities (free and

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open to the community). Check out www.blackbooksessions.org for more information.

Saturday, April 12th: o Artists Circle, 2pm-3pm: Formerly incarcerated artists and local Long Beach artists will participate in a storytelling story about their diverse experiences as an artist (not open to the community) o Incarcerated Artists Panel, 3pm-5pm: Panel of formerly incarcerated artists, art instructor from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and representative from the Office of Restorative Justice (free and open to the community). o 6pm-10pm: Second Saturday Art Walk – opportunity to view and purchase the art work.

Saturday, April 26th: o “Our Lost Sons,” 7-10pm: Film Screening and Q&A with the director Alexa Oona Schulz. Our Lost Sons is a character-driven documentary that centers on two Los Angeles Latina mothers' intimate journey to overcome overpowering feelings of guilt and shame after learning that their teenage sons are convicted for murder and incarcerated for life. The film investigates how the once innocent and sweet kids could transform into gang-banging criminals. An unprecedented maternal perspective on the world of gang violence, this film explores the hidden face of incarceration and takes you on an inspiring journey of healing and growth. https://www.facebook.com/OurLostSons

356 East 3rd Street Long Beach, CA 90802 562-­491-­0278 arthappens@artexchangelb.org www.artexchangelb.org

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Saturday, May 12th: o Restorative Justice Panel, 3pm-5pm: Panel of a victim, a victim’s mother, an offender and an offender’s mother. The goal of restorative justice is to break the barriers created when a crime occurs (free and open to the community). o 6pm-10pm: Second Saturday Art Walk – opportunity to view and purchase the art work.

More events to be announced!!

Partners ArtExchange www.ArtExchangeLB.org ¤ Facebook/ArtExchangeLB ¤ Instagram/ArtExchangeLB The ArtExchange is an innovative visual arts center at the East Village Arts District in downtown Long Beach. Creative programming, artist studios, galleries and special events define the ArtExchange as a unique place to experience art. The three primary goals are: (1) (2)

(3)

Provide professional artist support: Strengthen the local arts scene and facilitating the emergence of local ‘schools’ of artists whose work is formed by their collaboration with each other, visiting artists and the community.

Be a source of quality arts education: Provide art students a number of opportunities to develop their talent, create artwork, learn new skills and showcase their work. By providing quality art courses, ArtX can help to revitalize Long Beach’s arts education offerings and add to the quality of life for people of all economic and cultural backgrounds.

Engage the community: Enhance the quality of life in our community, create synergy for economic development, and serve as an interactive, cultural destination that attracts both residents and tourists.

Office of Restorative Justice www.la-archdiocese.org ¤ www.faithandhopeartshow.com Restorative Justice is about building a system that makes the community whole again through various programs called Families of the Incarcerated and Partnership for Re-Entry Program that: (1) Helps “Keeps the family together” by providing bus trips to children and family members to visit loved ones who are incarcerated.

(2) Assists to combat the high recidivism rate of parolees through counseling, education and housing referrals.