The 29th Annual Exhibition of Artists in Michigan Prisons runs until April 1 at the Duderstadt Gallery on the University of Michigan’s North Campus. Community members, staff, students and others have expressed admiration for the diverse themes and mediums presented.
“One really exciting thing about this year is that we were able to include art from the only federal prison in Michigan, FCI Milan, which has never happened before,” said Suzy Moffat, an exhibition design assistant for the Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP). Moffat, who has been involved with PCAP for four years, first joined as a student.
This year’s exhibition showcases 772 pieces of artwork created by 538 artists from all 26 prisons in Michigan.
Moffat emphasized the many reasons to attend the exhibit.
“First and foremost, I really think there’s just so many fantastic pieces of art in this year’s exhibition,” she said. “But beyond that, I believe that it’s a great opportunity for people to expand their views on incarcerated people and learn more about what that experience is really like in Michigan.”
She shared the ways that the artists and those viewing the art benefit from this unique experience.
“Creating art provides a pathway for artists inside to express themselves, process emotions and find moments of joy in a setting not designed for that,” Moffat said. “People have a lot of preconceived notions about what those in prison are like and who they are, and it’s my hope that the exhibit helps people to see their humanity, their value, their voice, their skills, their artistry, and everything in between.”
The variety of mediums is another standout aspect of the exhibit — including some non-traditional art materials.
“We receive artwork in all kinds of mediums: paint, pen, pencil, and paper of course, but we also have a variety of 3D pieces created with things like soap, popsicle sticks, mod podge — things people wouldn’t normally expect to be used in art making,” Moffatt said. “We also see a lot of crochet work.”
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“This year we have organized the art into several thematic groups: Self, Portraiture, Prison as Art Studio, Nature Emotion, What If, Connection and Critique,” Moffatt explained.
Community support continues to play a crucial role in the exhibition’s success.
“We really rely on the community to show up for these artists and engage with their work. The exhibit is in its 29th year and got started in 1990 with a single theatre workshop,” Moffatt said.
Visitors are encouraged to share their thoughts and feedback on the art.
“The artists really value feedback from the community about their work, so I always encourage people to leave a note in our guestbook or write a letter to an artist if there’s a piece they really connect with,” Moffatt said.
Hours are Sunday–Monday: Noon-6 pm and Tuesday–Saturday: 10am-7pm. The Duderstadt Center is at 2281 Bonistell Blvd. on North Campus.
Donna Marie Iadipaolo is a writer, journalist, and State of Michigan certified teacher, since 1990. She has written for national publications like The Village Voice, Ear Magazine of New Music, Insurance & Technology, and TheStreet.
She is now writing locally for many publications, including Current Magazine, Ann Arbor Family, and the Ann Arbor Independent. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she graduated with an honors bachelor’s degree and three teacher certificate majors: mathematics, social sciences, English. She also earned three graduate degrees in Master of Science, Master of Arts, and Education Specialist Degree.
