Rewriting the Narrative

Education and the arts offer people the opportunity to expand their minds and transform their lives. This exhibition brings together individuals affected by the carceral system as they share personal stories of resilience through the promotion of a creative magazine that is distributed to California state prisons.

Education As A Lifeline

While serving a 29-year-to-life sentence, Richard spent countless hours at the library preparing for his Associate of Arts degree. He began sharing his knowledge with others, mentoring fellow incarcerated individuals and facilitating workshops on resilience and personal growth.

“Nothing About Us Without Us”

Richard was released in 2019 and founded the Returning Citizens Association (RCA) with the vision of supporting system-impacted people. Programs are shaped by the lived experiences of those who understand the challenges of reentry firsthand, partnering with other organizations to amplify the voices of those most affected.

Tapped-In Magazine

We partnered with the RCA to create a printed and digital quarterly publication to be distributed to prisons via public libraries.

Incarcerated Artists

Artist and Escaping Time leader, Jay Darden, curated work from incarcerated individuals to showcase for this exhibition.

Book Fair

System-Impacted authors sold their published works at the Book Fair outside the exhibition.

Summer 2024 Issue

The first edition of the magazine features stories from RCA members and so much more.

Spring 2025 Issue

The second edition, and the inspiration for the traveling exhibition, features art, personal stories, and articles around the theme of education as reformation.

Escaping Time is a nonprofit organization based in New York City who exhibits artworks created by incarcerated individuals to provide them with financial opportunities. By engaging visitors and facilitating conversations related to the carceral system, they aim to help reduce stigmas and prejudices.

Artwork From The Show

"Butterly Sculpture" - Mark Springer
"Helping Grandma" - Karen Thomas
"Into The Distance" - Soden
"Staircase #4" - Josh Swetky
"Mutual Exchange" - Scott Arends
"Untitled" - Jeffrey Nelson
"Fancy Dancer #1" - Michael Tenneson
"Black Lives" - Jay Darden

Speakers + Performers

Nina Clark

POET + ACTIVIST
Nina serves as the secretary and community liaison for the Returning Citizens Association. She writes and performs spoken word poetry.
Earlonne Woods

“EARHUSTLE” CO-CREATOR + AUTHOR
Earlonne is the co-creator, co-host, and co-producer of Ear Hustle (PRX & Radiotopia), and founder of CHOOSE1. His best-selling book, This Is Ear Hustle, has received national acclaim.
Rachel Kinnon

SFPL JARS SUPERVISOR
As the Jail and Reentry Services (JARS) Supervisor at the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL), Rachel leads many initiatives in service of system-impacted individuals.