The power of art as a transformative tool is set to take the spotlight at the Lyndon House Arts Center in Athens. In an innovative collaboration, the center will feature the artwork of individuals currently incarcerated, aiming to bridge community gaps and offer new perspectives.
Originating from the Creative Tracks program at the Clarke County Jail, the initiative has been active for over a year, engaging three cohorts of participants. Kristen Bach, a local business owner and educator, leads the program. Her mission is to help her students integrate art into their daily lives, especially those who may not see themselves as artists.
“A lot of my students don’t consider themselves as active artists. So, I really try to break down the boundaries of what art making can be,” Bach explains.
Scheduled for display on Thursday, January 22nd, the exhibit opens at 5:30 pm. Through this event, Bach hopes to foster a more inclusive attitude towards formerly incarcerated individuals as they reintegrate into society.
“We really wanted to inform our community that a lot of these incarcerated individuals, this might be the first time they are seen and heard,” she states. “We want our community to know that they’re doing a ton of hard work to try to better their lives and make a new chapter moving forward.”
The participants of Creative Tracks also engage with the Reentry Success Program, which offers educational opportunities through collaboration with various community partners.
Further details about the exhibit are available at accgov.com.
