Letters from Prison: Continuing the Conversation

Hartford, CT – The Clare Gallery, in collaboration with Community Partners in Action’s (CPA) Prison Arts Program, will host Letters from Prison: Continuing the Conversation from March 13 to May 18, 2025. This compelling exhibition brings together letters written by incarcerated individuals, reflecting on themes of mystery, mysticism, and meaning. The exhibit builds on CPA’s Letters from Prison showcases from 1995 and 2005, incorporating new submissions alongside select works from past collections. Through these writings, the exhibit aims to foster dialogue about self-exploration, resilience, and artistic expression within correctional facilities.

In 1995, CPA’s Prison Arts Program sponsored its first exhibition of letters from Connecticut prisons, followed by a 2005 exhibit co-sponsored with the Clare Gallery. These exhibitions honored powerful works—letters and stunning envelope artwork—created by individuals living in Connecticut’s correctional facilities. The 2005 exhibition included letters from the original 1995 exhibit, as well as newer works, showcasing intricate, thought-provoking expressions of self-reflection and creativity.

Letters from Prison: Continuing the Conversation carries forward this tradition, featuring new letters from the latest call for entries alongside carefully curated pieces from the previous exhibits. The collection provides insight into the personal journeys of incarcerated individuals and brings their talent and voices to the wider community.

As part of the exhibition, a Virtual Panel Discussion will take place on Monday, April 28, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., featuring CPA Prison Arts Program Manager Jeffrey Greene, who has worked with the program for over 34 years, and former incarcerated artist Danny Killion, now the owner and operator of Weather Wood, a Troy, NY-based furniture and art store specializing in reclaimed wood pieces since 2013. The discussion, moderated by Nancy Wynn, will explore the impact of art in correctional settings. The event is free, but registration is required.

Additionally, an Artist’s Reception will be held on Sunday, May 4, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., welcoming the public to experience the exhibit firsthand and engage in conversations about the role of creative expression in incarcerated communities.

Community Partners in Action, one of the nation’s oldest criminal justice organizations, was formerly known as the Connecticut Prison Association. CPA provides restorative justice services to young people and adults, assisting in reentry and rehabilitation efforts. Through its work, CPA unites people, programs, and partnerships to create safer communities and enhance the quality of life across Connecticut. The organization, founded in 1875, celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2025.

CPA’s Prison Arts Program, established in 1978, is the longest-running initiative of its kind in the United States. It supports incarcerated artists through workshops, exhibitions, and mentorship, advocating for artistic expression as a means of self-discovery and personal transformation. The program collaborates with prison staff, state agencies, schools, volunteers, and professional artists to create meaningful opportunities for artistic engagement.

The Clare Gallery, housed within the Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry at 285 Church Street, Hartford, CT, primarily features exhibitions that highlight interfaith or social justice themes on both local and global levels. The Gallery is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Free parking is available across from the church, and the facility is fully accessible. Masks are optional.

For more information, contact Catherine Wynn at chatcat141@gmail.com or visit CPA Community Partners In Action - CPA.