When it comes to creativity, Auburn University has found a new outlet for a group of people society forgets and often ignores: prisoners.
The Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project was created in 2004, using grants from various foundations, including the Alabama Humanities Foundation, and began as an outreach with only one poet teaching in one prison.
Today, this project has grown into more than 35 instructors teaching in 12 correctional facilities in Alabama with courses ranging from drawing to Southern literature.
"Education is good for everybody," said Kyes Stevens, director of the Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project. "Creativity feeds people. It does something on a soul level."
Although the prisoners are the main focus of the outreach, many Auburn University faculty members and students take part in creating this opportunity for them.
"We have graduate students, people with Ph.D.s and professionals who come in to teach," Stevens said. "We also have undergraduates who are teaching assistants."
These programs can affect each participant differently, but the results seem positive for students and teachers, Stevens said.
"It's an invigorating teaching environment," said Barry Fleming, interim chair of the department of art. "They are the best students because (here) no one wants anything from them. They all want to be there."
Each class consists of 15-20 students with about 12 sessions of teaching on a college freshman level.
After creating their original piece of artwork, the inmates are able to find a sense of satisfaction which many are never able to experience.
"Some may have never used a pencil," Fleming said. "You get to see them gaining confidence and have an accomplishment."
Most of the prisoners have also never experienced creating or learning about art and absorb any and all information the teachers give them.
"It's an honest and open environment," Fleming said. "They ask questions about the art world and connect to what art is about."
Throughout last week, this growing program hosted its first-ever display in Biggin Hall titled "Art on the Inside," which allowed students, teachers and the public to come in and view a selection of astonishing pieces prisoners have created.
Many of the pieces included revealing self-portraits as well as interpretations of their time spent incarcerated which had dramatic affects on many who viewed them.
"It was kind of disturbing," said Brooke Whitlock, a senior in elementary education. "It was sad to see the sadness in the eyes of the self-portraits."
Most of the artwork seemed to be on a professional level, but Stevens said this wasn't necessarily because of talent, but because of their sheer perseverance.
"My philosophy is that you can teach anybody to draw," Stevens said. "What someone does with (instruction) is the difference."
In fact, Whitlock said she was informed that one piece of art which was displayed was actually printed and sold, making one prisoner money for his family in need.
The newest development with the Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project is an outreach scholarship created by Barb Bondy, the assistant professor of art/exhibitions and lectures coordinator at the University.
It creates collaboration with students and inmates to benefit in their advances on life, Stevens said.
"Most (prisoners) have a terrible experience with education," Stevens said. "With the (APAEP) program they get a second chance."
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