Consistency and focus can take you further than you ever imagined. The challenge, however, is patience. You never know when or who will notice your workâyou only know that you are putting in the effort that needs to be done.
For years, I have worked with prison artwork and have seen firsthand how it sparks conversations that might never have happened otherwise. Personally, I have no artistic talent, which may be why I appreciate these pieces even more. When people look at the artwork, they explain techniques, the mediums, and the immense time invested in most pieces. Sometimes, the artist includes a written explanation of their process and inspiration, but other times, we are left to interpret the meaning on our own. The artist stories often are ones of trauma. Artwork is their lifeline, their therapy and/or the one thing that distinguishes them from being identified for their mistakes.
Connecting, Co-creating, and Collaboration
A few years ago, I reached out to a company with a unique background, Concreate, are entirely composed of individuals who had been incarcerated and were now involved in various forms of marketing. Their resilience and talent were undeniable. I was captivated by their ingenuity in looking at the world from a point of view that people on the âoutsideâ may not have ever seen or had become accustomed to. They have an amazing website that explores their mission statement, ideas, values, and their most recent projects that can be found here, concreates.com. Vince Bragg and I had a great conversation, but I was not ready for what they had to offer. I was building our programs.
Recently, I decided to reconnect with them. Impartial had grown significantly, and I felt the timing was right to explore potential collaborations, if they were interested. After refreshing their memory of our previous discussion, we began brainstorming ways to work together. The excitement was palpable.
Then, just a week later, I received a call from the same company. Paulie Polacke, Concerates' business manager, had an incredible opportunity: a request to donate artwork to a pre-Grammy gala benefiting the LA firefighters. My answer was an immediate yes.
This past weekend, 13 pieces of prison artwork were showcased and auctioned at a prestigious pre-Grammy gala attended by 1,500 people, including entertainers and celebrities. It was an extraordinary opportunity to share these artists' stories, highlight our mission, and bring prison artwork to a wider audience.
Moments like these remind me why I do this work. The connections, the impact, and the unexpected opportunities make every step worth it. The journey continues, and I can't wait to see where it leads next.
Diane Wells
Founder
