CORE.

Left to right —  Yeni Mata (Administrator, Under Minerva Gallery), Noah Marmar (Founder, The People's Art), Julian Rozzell, Jr. (Creative Director, The People's Art), Ajamu Kojo Chioke Walker (Artist), Diana Schmertz (Artist), Anki King (Artist), Louise Brooks (Artist), Chris Achong (Owner, Under Minerva Gallery), John Bonafede (Artist), Ephraim Asili (Artist).

Big thanks to everyone for coming out... 

 

Anki King 

 

 Julian Rozzell, Jr.

  

Ajamu Kojo Chioke Walker  

 Diana Schmertz  

John Bonafede 

   

Louise Brooks

Queens Museum of Art, "Your Pride I Will Defend"

Student artwork from three schools at Rikers Island, including Island Academy, Passages Academy, and Horizon Academy. Special thanks to Tim Lisante, Deputy Superintendant of District 79, NYC Department of Education. This exhibition was presented by the QMA's ArtAccess program, which serves artists with special needs.

For more information, contact Michelle Lopez: mlopez@queensmuseum.org

Rikers Exhibition at CUNY Law School, 2010

Drawings, paintings, and poems by artists who are currently incarcerated at Rikers Island. Complimentary food, wine and refreshments. DJ, music, raffle, auction, door prizes.

Keynote Speaker, Steve Zeidman:

° Professor and Director of Criminal Defense Clinic at CUNY

° 25-year veteran of criminal defense in NYC 

° Former supervisor at the Legal Aid Society

° Serves on Board of Directors of Prisoners' Legal Services

Over $4000 donated to Rikers school art program

All of the funds we raised from our launch event were recently delivered to the NYC Department of Education, District 79, for the purpose of developing the art program at Horizon Academy on Rikers Island. 

The Launch Event

The People's Art is very pleased to report that we raised over $4200 to develop the Art Program at Horizon Academy on Rikers Island.  This amount does not even include any of the actual art sales!  These continue to be tallied separately, as the ongoing silent auction continues.  Please contact us directly with inquiries about specific pieces from the opening.  The art pieces will next be traveling to the Queens Museum of Art for a special June exhibition. 

Click to read more ...

Rikers Exhibition at CUNY Law School, 2009

Join us for a very special, FREE event next Wednesday April 22, from 6-9PM at CUNY Law School.  Spectrums is a one-night only exhibition of artwork from Horizon Academy (HA) on Rikers Island.  HA is an alternative High School for 19 to 21 year old men while incarcerated.  All proceeds from purchases will go to art supplies for the students and HA's Artists-In-Residency Program, taught by Ronnye Hightower.

Spectrums will feature prominent guest speakers, live music, open mic, prizes and refreshments.  This free reception is made possible by extremely generous support from Pieper Bar Review.  

Click to read more ...

Special Guest Speakers for Launch Event

Marvin E. Schechter, Esq. is a 30-year veteran attorney specializing in criminal defense.  He recently completed a term on the Board of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys and is a past president of the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.  Prior to these offices, he chaired the indigent defense committees for both organizations.  Mr. Schechter began his career as a staff attorney in the criminal defense section of the Legal Aid Society, rising to Attorney in Charge.  A respected lecturer, he has served as an instructor and adjunct professor at several New York City-based law schools.  Both Mr. Schechter and Ms. Ortiz serve as officers on the Board of Directors for Getting Out and Staying Out (GOSO).  

Eleven years ago, Gloria M. Ortiz, Principal, opened The Horizon Academy.  This is an alternative High School program for 19 to 21 year old males while incarcerated on Rikers Island. The school was opened as a result of the original litigation in Handberry v. Thompson, 436 F. 3d 52 (2d Cir. 2006), which ensures educational services to all people regardless of their legal status until 21 years of age.  The Horizon Academy offers literacy and General Equivalency Development (GED) studies in English and Spanish, a High School Parallel program and short-term vocational careers. Students are also offered counseling and transitional services. The Horizon Academy services over 1200 students per year.  

Founded five years ago, GOSO  (Getting Out and Staying Out)  is a nonprofit organization dedicated to drastically reducing the recidivism rate for 18-24 year old young men through purposeful education and directed employment. GOSO "coaches" participants on life skills while attending the Horizon Academy on Rikers Island.  Once released, the direct services continue at GOSO's office in East Harlem, where they finish working on their GED diplomas.  Participants interact with the staff and volunteers of GOSO at three locations: Rikers Island, Upstate, and at GOSO Office in Harlem.  As a result, GOSO has reduced the recidivism rates of its participants to under 15%. All volunteer queries arising from the art exhibition at CUNY Law School may be directed to GOSO.