Audio By Carbonatix
Prisoners can be amazingly crafty. I’ve heard stories from one jailbird relative who rolled apple peels into smokes, lit them with an uncooked spaghetti noodle stuck into an electrical outlet to spark a small flame, then worked out with weights made of waterlogged newspapers. His artwork, though, was limited to a gum-wrapper cross necklace–best Mother’s Day present ever! But the La Reunion TX gallery’s exhibit of art by women incarcerated in the Dallas County and Dawson State jails proves some prisoners are quite capable of creative expression. Not Who You Think I Am features art by women enrolled in Resolana programs, which use artistic and experiential activities to address the mental and emotional health issues that keep women in what the organization calls “the cycle of incarceration.” The exhibit reveals the inner lives and personal stories of women behind bars, showing that they’re not as different as those on the outside may think. The opening reception is 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at LRTX Gallery (2129 Farrington St.), followed by open gallery 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. After that, it’s available by appointment through May 9. Call 214-948-4948.
Fri., May 1, 6-9 p.m.; Sat., May 2, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; May 3-9, 2009
