Art Education

"Correctional facilities are places where deprivation, oppression, isolation, and disenfranchisement lurk. Art offers one activity that is productive, non-violent, communicative, and insightful for people who are incarcerated. Art fuels a feeling of connection and contribution, safety, and the profound communication that is a necessary part of being human. The creation of something beautiful and meaningful can help incarcerated people to regain a sense of pride and increase their self-esteem. The process of making art offers a way for individuals to realize that they are capable of creating something that is valued by society."

Dr. Rachel Williams, Assistant Professor of Art Education, University of Iowa.

The EVTU runs a number of art exhibitions each year and encourages prisoners to prepare and enter works for these showcases of artistic talent. Most of the paintings are offered for sale.

Four of these exhibitions are conducted in partnership with the State Heritage Office and Fremantle Prison. These are held in the old print shop of the World Heritage listed Prison.

NAIDOC Week is an important time for Indigenous Australians and the Department organises an annual art exhibition to celebrate this significant cultural event.

To see some of the work from these exhibitions, use the links below.

NAIDOC 2016

For all arts-related enquiries, including prisoner artwork and exhibitions, please contact the Arts Coordinator Abdul Abdullah on (08) 6250 9221 or email Abdul.Abdullah@correctiveservices.wa.gov.au