Showcase of art by California Men’s Colony inmates comes to Cuesta

By Asa Mason
Staff Writer

For the first time, Cuesta will be hosting artwork of prison inmates through an exhibit called “Between the Bars.”

It will feature artwork produced by incarcerated artists from the nearby California Men’s Colony.

Many of the prison artists featured in this exhibit are Cuesta College students participating in a pilot program aimed at reducing recidivism through education, program staff said.

The process allows inmates to learn alternate ways of conflict resolution while working with others and other key positive social practices, program staff said.

This event will be held Aug. 31 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the second floor of the the Robert E. Kennedy library.

This project is in collaboration with Que Phan Dang, director of the Student Success Center & Student Equity.

“Cuesta College is one of five California Colleges selected by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in the Second Chance Pilot Program,” Dang said.

This senior project exhibition has previously been held at Cal Poly, coordinated by Sociology Professor Dr. Unique Shaw-Smith.

“Expectations are to have 250 students at the CMC enrolled in the program.” Dang said.

The event is free and open to the public as well as students.

Studies show that art appreciation and experiencing the creative process helps to advance the right brain promoting confidence and self-esteem.

Art appreciation and creative process also encourages individuals to expand their creativity into other aspects of learning and life. This is an opportunity to not only view original artwork, but to also connect with others in the community as well.

“The artists are Cuesta students,” Dang said. “It’s amazing when you think about the breath of the college contributing to the community.”