In a collaborative effort with local muralists, youth experiencing incarceration at the juvenile detention center have contributed their artistic expressions to the ‘Freedom of Expression: Artists Incarcerated’ gallery.
Located at Salt Lake Community College’s South City Campus by the east entrance, the exhibition features three evocative paintings titled ‘Guadalupe’s Dream,’ ‘Mamba Mentality,’ and ‘Uptown, Downtown, Spread the Love Around Town.’ These artworks vividly illustrate the emotions and dreams of the youth artists.
Matt Monson, one of the muralists involved in the project, reflected on the experience, stating, ‘We didn’t know exactly what we were getting into, but it was an amazing experience. It was amazing to see their personalities and their dreams come out.’
The purpose of this installation is multifaceted, aiming to provide a sense of freedom for those incarcerated, an emotional outlet for their feelings, and a pathway towards rehabilitation.
During the gallery’s opening reception, Dr. Anthony Nocella introduced Trevor Brown, an incarcerated individual who has served 27 years. Brown shared his insights on the healing power of art, explaining how it has helped him confront his anger issues and learn from his life experiences.
‘Art is love, power and freedom,’ said Brown, emphasizing the transformative impact of creative expression on those behind bars.
Nocella elaborated on the inspiration behind the collaboration, noting, ‘We wanted to show that [one], we can build community partnerships, [and] two, that art and poetry are great ways to defer and divert and create alternatives to incarceration and create peace where there’s violence.’
The ‘Freedom of Expression’ installation will be open to the public until May 23, after which the artworks will be moved to the Capitol building, ultimately finding a permanent home in the Salt Lake Valley Juvenile Detention Center where they were created.
In addition to this captivating gallery, another compelling exhibition titled ‘I’m Roofless, NOT Homeless’ is also being showcased at South City Campus, specifically in the George S. & Dolores Dore Eccles Art Gallery.
This installation comprises various sculptures and ceramic art depicting unhoused individuals, inspired by the artists Suzanne Storer and Louise Solecki Weir’s encounters during their travels.
While the sculptures themselves are not named within the exhibit, a supplementary booklet contains detailed information regarding the sculptures, reliefs, and drawn portraits crafted by the artists. This booklet includes the names of the works, personal stories of the inspirations behind them, and pricing for some pieces.
Storer shared how her grandmother’s experiences during The Great Depression influenced her work, recounting how her grandmother fed one unhoused person every Sunday. She explained a unique cipher system used by unhoused individuals to communicate that her grandmother would provide meals, illustrating the resourcefulness of those in need.
‘As more people see this show, the more they can realize they too can become homeless,’ asserted Storer, highlighting the fragile circumstances that can lead to homelessness.
One individual referenced in the exhibit, named Heather, directly inspired the title of the gallery, as she adamantly stated her distinction that she was ‘roofless, not homeless.’
Both galleries serve to shine a light on marginalized communities, fostering understanding and showcasing the resilience and vitality of the people they represent.
image source from：https://www.globeslcc.com/2025/04/15/freedom-of-expression-artists-incarcerated-im-roofless-not-homeless-exhibit/
