As part of tonight’s monthly First Fridays art openings, the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library will host "Beyond the Bars," an exhibit of art created by Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail inmates during a class by the same name.
The "Beyond the Bars" class was first offered in 2005 and is taught by local artists Rose Hill, LeVonne Yountz, Lindsay Freedman, Esther Lopez and George Andrews. Currently, 26 inmates—13 men and 13 women—are enrolled in the class.
"It’s one of the most sought after classes we have here," says Phyllis Back, Director of Programs at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. Read more below.
An image from "Beyond the Bars," which opens tonight at the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library
According to Back, the class’s popularity can be attributed to both the inherent artistic talents of many inmates and a community service aspect: "A lot of offenders are interested in the fact that it’s a way to serve the community because of where the proceeds go," she says.
"You’ll see a whole variety of different things—some very abstract and some very detailed," says Back of inmates’ work. On average, smaller 4" x 6" pieces sell for about $25, while larger canvas works can go for as much as $350. Last year, the jail sold over $12,000 worth of art.
A second image from "Beyond the Bars"