"You gotta resurrect the deep pain within you and give it a place to live that's not within your body. Let it live in art. Let it live in writing. Let it live in music. Let it be devoured by building brighter connections. Your body is not a coffin for pain to be buried in. Put it somewhere else" - Ehime Ora

Over the past few years I have been a volunteer at the South Dakota State Penitentiary. I have had the honor of being invited into vulnerable spaces where men have shared some of their deepest pain. They have spoken words so heavy you can feel their weight settle in the room. I have seen men bravely show their scars and bare their hearts with the hope of building connections.

Art is one way we build that connection —

To our heritage.

To each other.

To nature.

And most importantly, to ourselves.

This summer and fall, I have the opportunity to facilitate a series of Art Therapy Workshops at the Jameson Prison Annex, the maximum security facility at SDSP. There has been a lot in the news over the months about the men in Jameson, and perhaps you’ve formed an opinion on who they are based on what you’ve heard: drug overdoses, violent fights, staff assaults. And while all those things are true, another truth remains: Compassion, kindness, and connection are needed now more than ever.

In October and November, the men’s artwork will be displayed at the Sioux Falls Downtown Library. These pieces are the result of their time in the workshops and the stories they chose to share through art. It offers a different kind of story, one focused on humanity, not headlines.

If you’d like to support, we’re raising funds for art supplies like paper, paint, and brushes, as well as frames to prepare the artwork for display. Your support helps create space for healing, reflection, and a chance for these men to be seen as more than just their past.

We’re so grateful for any help in making this project possible.