“Inside Stories” Exhibition and Opening Reception

​Scarab Creative Arts, Fresno, CA

June 4, 2026  

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​Opening Reception of Prison Arts Collective's "Inside Stories" Exhibition. With the goal of promoting awareness of art as a human right and artistic expression as a bridge between communities, the artworks in this exhibition were created by artists in PAC classes at Central California Women's Facility (CCWF) and Avenal State Prison (ASP), taking inspiration in the visual style of comic books. These classes were led by incarcerated artists in PAC’s Arts Facilitator Training Program, an intensive leadership training that prepares these artists to lead multidisciplinary arts classes as Peer Facilitators.

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“Changemakers’ Guide to Prison Arts Programming" Book Launch

Chavalier’s Bookstore, Los Angeles

April 30, 2026  

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PAC joined inside of Chavalier’s Bookstore in Los Angeles to celebrate the launch of our founding director Annie Buckley’s book, “Changemakers’ Guide to Prison Arts Programming.” The evening included a panel discussion with the author alongside PAC colleagues Ginny Oshiro, Mark Taylor, and Cait Ahearn. The night ended with raffle prizes of PAC merchandise and photography by Peter Merts. 

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The Year of the Fire Horse Tabling

San Diego State University

April 16, 2026  

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PAC interns led a tabling event on San Diego State University’s campus inspired by the 2026 Lunar New Year, the year of the Fire Horse.

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Pitzer College’s Arts Education and Advocacy Career Fair

Pitzer College, Claremont, CA

April 15, 2026

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PAC tabled at Pitzer College’s Arts Education and Advocacy Career Fair, an annual on-campus event that connects students with local organizations, nonprofits, and community partners to offer jobs, internships, and advocacy opportunities in the arts.

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PAC workshop at Mid-City CAN

March 26,2026 

Mid-City CAN’s Youth Justice Momentum Team welcomed art instructor Rubén Alarcón and Brooke Florian from the Prison Arts Collective to one of their weekly meetings to participate in Rubén’s PAC inspited art workshop.
 

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Art of Resilience Exhibition

California Western School of Law's Innocence & Justice Clinic, San Diego, CA

March 25, 2026  ​

 

PAC was honored to host the Art of Resilience exhibition in collaboration with California Western School of Law's Innocence & Justice Clinic. This exhibition served to promote awareness of art as a human right and artistic expression as a bridge between communities. The works in this exhibit encompassed an array of subjects, the themes speaking to the empowerment and dignity that participants cultivated as they developed their unique artistic voices and personal styles.

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"Inside the Comic Panel" Exhibition and Opening Reception

Art Groove Event Center, Fresno, CA

March 19, 2026  

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the "Inside the Comic Panel" opening reception collaboration with the B Awesum and River Park Art Groove Gallery featured an artist talk by Fresno Regional Lead Martin Townsend, who honored the contributing artists, explored their themes, and highlighted the impact of arts programming in prisons.

The comic-book panels on display were created by incarcerated artists at Central California Women’s Facility during a multidisciplinary art class co-led by PAC Peer Facilitators Angela and Sonia.

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“Creating Community” Exhibition

Ironwood State Prison

January 2026

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PAC hosted the art exhibition “Creating Community,” on three yards at Ironwood State Prison in January 2026. In “Creating Community,” Peer Facilitators and participants reimagined the gymnasium as a gallery, inviting the general population and CDCR staff to honor and celebrate. The featured artworks were created through PAC’s multidisciplinary arts classes, led by Peer Facilitators who complete PAC’s 60-hour Arts Facilitator Training.

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Farmers Market

San Diego State University

December 4th, 2026

 

PAC tabled at the San Diego State University's Thursday Farmers' Market. We had a great time sharing program information, making origami sculptures, and petting our favorite corgi with everyone who stopped by.

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Northern Lights Bash

San Diego State University

December 4th, 2026

 

PAC was proud to be part of the Northern Lights Bash hosted by the Phoenix, an active, sober, and inclusive community chapter at SDSU. We shared PAC artwork and program information and held a holiday cards making workshop.

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Film Screening & Panel Discussion

Aztec Theatre, San Diego State University

September 29, 2025  

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PAC held al screening of our film, "Facilitating Change: The Vision of Prison Arts Collective", followed by a thoughtful panel discussion at the Aztec Theater on the SDSU campus.

Following the film, our program director and founder Annie Buckley led a panel discussion featuring SDSU Professor of Television, Film, and New Media Dr. 'Niyi Coker, PAC alum Ruben Alarcón, PAC Assistant Director Kristi Williams, and PAC Exhibitions Assistant Carlo Jacobo. The discussion included an interactive Q+A with questions from members of the audience.
 

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Friends Outside 70th Anniversary and Silent Auction

Stockton, CA 

September 21, 2025  

 

Prison Arts Collective contributed four artworks to the Friends Outside silent auction, held in celebration of their 70th anniversary in Stockton. The auction featured Puppy by Domingo Lopez, I See You by Fidencio, Watercolor 2 by Virgil, and Koi Fish in Blue by James.

We celebrate the talent and dedication of our participants and extend our congratulations to Friends Outside on seventy years of meaningful community service. Half of the proceeds from the auction will support PAC programming, with the other half benefiting Friends Outside.
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PAC Retreat and Documentary Screening

June 2025

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Our team gathered in Los Angeles for our first-ever PAC Retreat, visiting Homeboy Industries, exploring the legacy of Corita Kent at the Corita Art Center, and learning at Homeboy Art Academy. We shared lunch together, presented research findings as part of our RIGHT grant evaluation, and hosted our first screening of our PAC documentary, Facilitating Change: The Vision of Prison Arts Collective, in collaboration with Avalie Media. The retreat was an unforgettable day of inspiration, community, and activism.

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​Lunch & Learn - Art & Social Justice

The Immaculate Heart Community, Los Angeles, CA

June 20th, 2025

 

The Immaculate Heart Community non-profit org is hosted Annie Buckley, Founder and Executive Director of Prison Arts Collective, for one of their installments of their Lunch & Learn Lecture Series! Annie led an important discussion on Arts as Social Justice -  expanding access to the arts to those who are incarcerated.
 

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Justice + Art Jam

Los Angeles

May 24, 2025  

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PAC joined the 2025 Justice + Art Jam at the Los Angeles State Historic Park on May 24 alongside other services, workshops, and speakers to promote creative expression and community connection.

PAC exhibited artworks by participants from the California Institution for Women (CIW) and California Institution for Men (CIM), created especially for this event. Within the PAC tent, visitors were invited to participate in the responsive art-making project and art personalized supply preparation for the participants inside Centinela State Prison, CIM, and CIW.

 

 

JMS Spring Screening Circle

San Diego State University

March 11, 2025

 

SDSU Journalism and Media Studies invited PAC and VISTA to table at their Spring Screening Circle of the Oscar-nominated film Sing Sing.

The film follows the true story of Divine G (played by Colman Domingo), a man who is involved in the theatre program at the Sing Sing Correctional Facility in New York. While incarcerated, Divine G finds comfort in the camaraderie and acceptance of the performing arts group. Many of the other individuals depicted in the film play themselves.

Divine G himself, was interviewed for the event by the Director of the School of JMS, Dr. Temple Northup. Dr. Northup also interviewed Jose Barajas, Robert Nuñez, and Dylan Dunn from SDSU’s Valuing Incarcerated Scholars Through Academia (VISTA) program. Jose and Robert spoke virtually while Dylanspoke on the stage aside Dr. Northup before the screening.

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"Forget-Me-Not" Performance

Folsom State Prison

February 2025

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Theater students at Folsom State Prison took the stage to perform their original play, Forget-Me-Not. Written and performed by the Rising Actors Theatre Troupe students themselves, the production was guided by their PAC class instructor, Scarlett Pascual. 

 

Humanizing the Narrative

San Diego State University

​October 2024

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Prison Arts Collective and SDSU Project Rebound co-organized a series of impactful week long events designed to deepen understanding and empathy for those who have been behind bars. The event included workshops, discussions, and activities that provide a holistic perspective on the challenges and resilience of this community.

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“Unfinished Business” Performance

Folsom State Prison

June 11, 2024  ​

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The Folsom State Prison theatre workshop titled “Unfinished Business” took place on June 11, led by PAC team members Scarlett and Erin. Included above is some excerpts from the program with cover art by one of the very talented participants! Included in the program are directors notes by the directors Scarlett and Erin as well as a summary of each scene.

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After the performance, we had a Q&A with our audience, which included fellow incarcerated individuals as well as Sac State faculty, Ginny Oshiro, and our family & friends. The theatre troupe enjoyed interacting with the audience, and it was so wonderful to see such positive responses.

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Higher Education and the Carceral State - Book Release

Cal State LA, Project Rebound

June 5 2024

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Project Rebound held a reception at Cal State LA’s University Library (Community Room) on June 5, 2024 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm to celebrate the release of Higher Education and the Carceral State, edited by PAC Founder and DirectorAnnie Buckley. Buckley and chapter authors (including Project Rebound's very own Jeff Stein) discussed their experiences, observations, and perspectives on the latest developments in the field. It was a great opportunity to connect with colleagues and friends before the summer. 

The book features chapters from contributors across the globe, including three members of our PAC team, Brian Heisterkamp, Ginny Oshiro, Bryant Jackson-Green, and edited by PAC Founder and Director Annie Buckley with Mack Moore as editorial assistant.

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Guest Artist Workshop - Shanequa Benitez

San Diego State University

April 11, 2024  

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SDSU welcomed New York artist Shanequa Benitez to host a Tote Bag Making Workshop with Prison Arts Collective and Project Rebound team members. Benitez examines questions of identity and community. Her artwork and activism challenges political, environmental, and social structures.

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Transforming Prison Life Through Art - Panel Discussion

Wende Museum, Culver City, CA

February 10, 2024

 

PAC founder and executive director Annie Buckley alongside two amazing artists, former students and co-facilitators Eze Gonzalez and Christian Branscombe, held a panel with the wonderful Meetra Johansen of Huma House and artist Kenneth Webb at the Wende Museum on Saturday Feb 10 from 2:00-4:00. The panel took place as part of the stunning exhibition "Visions of Transcendence" that takes a global and powerful view of art made from imprisonment and spaces at the margins.
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Visions of Transcendence: Creating Space in East and West

Wende Museum, Culver City, CA

Select artwork created by participants in the Prison Arts Collective programming were showcased at the Wende Museum in Culver City from November 11, 2023, to April 7, 2024 as an integral part of the ‘Visions of Transcendence: Creating Space in East and West’ exhibition. PAC is represented in this exhibition by the following artists: J. Quintero, C. Branscombe, E. Gonzalez, M. Nguyen, and a participating artist from CIW. The opening reception was held on November 11, 2023, from 12 pm to 4 pm.

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Guest Scholar Visit - Dr. Nalini Nadkarni

San Diego State University, Institute for the Arts, Humanities, and Social Justice office

October 24th, 2023

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Dr. Nalini Nadkarni visited the Prison Arts Collective office space to share her work and discuss the future of educational programs in prison spaces.

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Dr. Nadkarni, a professor in the school of biology at the University of Utah, has done extensive research on the canopies of Costa Rican rainforests. She created her "Science for the Incarcerated" programs as a way to bring her ecological research interests to incarcerated people and help to instill a lifelong love of plant biology gardening.

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During her visit, Dr. Nadkarni met with Prison Arts Collective and Institute staff to discuss their overlapping interests, and share coffee and snacks.

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"Celebrating 10 Years of Prison Arts Collective" Exhibition and Opening Reception

San Diego State University, Flor Y Canto Gallery

 

Prison Arts Collective celebrated 10 years of programming with an exhibition walkthrough of artworks across the decade, a silent auction, and celebratory reception. 

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Art Workshop with Mass Liberation - Module 2: “Experimental Portrait”

May–July 2023  

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PAC had the opportunity to provide Art classes at Mass Liberation re-entry facility in Torrance. In class, participants explored various art techniques, including watercolor, embroidery, cyanotype, creative writing, drawing, and a range of materials such as pastel oils, acrylics, markers, and threads.

There were 2 modules: "Unwinding with Meditative Drawing" and "Experimental Portrait". Each module was designed with input from PAC and Mass Liberation staff to foster a creative community, introduce art and meditative skills, and offer participants the opportunity to connect with themselves and one another while engaging in playful artistic expression.

Each class followed the PAC model that included safe space activities, an introduction to art history, hands-on art exercises, and reflection sessions, where participants could freely express themselves without the fear of criticism.

For three months, participants engaged in discussions on significant daily-life issues, linking them to our art classes. Topics such as acknowledging our interdependence within a community, living in the present moment, the importance of using preferred names for one another, and the beauty of embracing playfulness and vulnerability were central themes in the weekly workshops.

The weekly classes were led by teaching artist and SDSU graduate student in Women’s Studies, Juana Eslava-Bejarano, and workshops were led by artist and PAC alumnus, Tony Ramirez. This class was a collaboration of Prison Arts Collective and Mass Liberation and was supported by an Arts in Reentry Grant from the California Arts Council.

This project was made possible with an Arts for Reentry Grant from the California Arts Council.​​

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Artist Talk with Mark Taylor

San Diego State University

May 25, 2023

 

PAC Alumnus Mark Taylor and Program Founder and Executive Director Annie Buckley gave a special talk for students at the University of California, Irvine. They discussed the restorative impacts of art and the talk launched the commemoration of PAC’s 10 year Anniversary.

Mark Taylor is a scholar, advocate, and teacher who became one of the fist PAC peer facilitators while he was serving a life sentence at Ironwood State Prison. Mark is a staunch advocate of criminal justice reform and has dedicated his life to helping others surmount the challenges associated with life during and after incarceration.

This talk was sponsored by the Criminology, Law, and Society Community Engagement Committee at UC Irvine, with thanks to Ginny Oshiro and Gabe Rosales for the invitation. 

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Student Creative Activities and Research (SCAR) Day

California State University, Fullerton

April, 2023

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Students from CSU Fullerton’s Art and Social Justice course represented PAC and CSUF’s Art and Social Justice club in the annual Student Creative Activities and Research (SCAR) Day! This event provides a space for CSUF students the opportunity to showcase their research, scholarship, and creative activities. Our Fullerton team showcased the research and skateboard project summary from our collaborative fundraiser with CALIFORNIA LOCOS and PAC participants from California Institution for Women. We are so proud of our team for pulling off first place for the College of the Arts and the Best in Show awards!

 

International Women’s Day Skateboard Project - Fundraiser

April 5–23, 2023  

 

Prison Arts Collective’s CSU Fullerton chapter worked in collaboration with CALIFORNIA LOCOS to create incredible custom skateboards designed by women at California Institution for Women (CIW) in celebration of Women’s History Month. All proceeds from the fundraiser was used to support the future programming at PAC. 
 

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Guest Artist Workshop - Yvette Deas

San Diego State University

February 1, 2023  

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An art workshop inspired by the works of Mickalene Thomas hosted by PAC teaching artist Yvette Deas took place Wednesday, February 1, in the PAC office. The event was open to anyone in the SDSU community with all materials provided

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"More Than A Number" Exhibition and Opening Reception

Reese Bullen Gallery, Arcata, CA

February 16th

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"More Than A Number" featured more than a dozen artists from Pelican Bay State Prison, located in Crescent City California showcased at Cal Poly Humboldt’s Reese Bullen Gallery. The exhibition featured paintings, papercraft, crochet, beadwork, drawings, and carvings. An opening reception was held on February 16th from 4:30-6pm at the Reese Bullen Gallery where a beautiful and informative introduction to the artworks was presented by Prison Arts Collective Humboldt Chapter organizers and a past program participant. An incredible digital 3D tour of the space is available on artfilm.humboldt.edu/galleries for those who could not attend in person.

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Art Auction & Book Talk: “Ex Crucible”

Chavalier's Books, Los Angeles, CA

October 10, 2022  

 

PAC had a wonderful event at Chevalier's Books which included discussion with Photographer Peter Merts about his new book, Ex Crucible: The Passion of Incarcerated Artists (Daylight Books, Spring 2022), including images from Merts's fifteen years of photographing in all 36 California State Prisons, as well as writing about this expansive body of Work. PAC founder and Director Annie Buckley joined PAC alumni Dominique Tanks, Wendy Staggs, and Program Coordinator John Rodriguez in a moving conversation about their experiences through the arts. This discussion highlighted the importance of arts not only within correctional facilities, but also as a basic human right in the world as a whole. ​​

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Guest Artist Lecture - Vin Ryan

San Diego State University

October 6, 2022  

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​In Collaboration with the Institute for the Arts, Humanities, and Social Justice and the School of Public Affairs, Prison Arts Collective hosted a lecture led by artist, educator, and scholar Vin Ryan.

Dr. Ryan gave a very compelling and interesting talk highlighting his experience teaching art to Aboriginal men in various Australian prisons. He discussed topics involving Aboriginal culture, art, as well as some differences between institutions in America and Australia.

Dr. Ryan is visiting SDSU on a Fellowship with PAC granted by the International Specialised Skills Institute, designed to allow educators to travel overseas to observe, participate, and contribute to areas of education that are identified as in need of improvement within the Australian system.