UCF’s Florida Prison Education Project hosts an art exhibition and one-hour panel discussion featuring Baz Dreisinger, Executive Director of Incarceration Nations Network and author of Incarceration Nations: A Journey to Justice in Prisons Around the World, David Gussak, Florida State University Professor of Art Therapy and author of Art and Art Therapy with the Imprisoned: Re-Creating Identity, Curt L. Tofteland, founder of the internationally-acclaimed program Shakespeare Behind Bars, and Omari Booker, a formerly incarcerated professional artist. Speaking from their diverse positions as an English professor, an art therapist, a theatre practitioner, and a practicing visual artist, they will discuss the value of arts-based prison education. Topics covered during the discussion will include art and incarceration across the world, visual art as psychotherapy, Shakespeare as a transformative force, and painting as an expression of freedom.

The art exhibition will be on the display in the lobby of the Dr. Phillips Center throughout the duration of the festival.

Funding for this program was provided through a grant from the Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this event do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.