During June 2022, Olivia Hochstadt led a weekly art history class for artists at Maine State Prison in Warren, Maine in collaboration with the Colby College Museum of Art, which provided access to work in their collection via zoom. Each week the students were tasked with creating artwork inspired by the pieces from the Colby Museum of Art collection that we discussed in class. Speaking and learning about acclaimed artwork as well as that made by the students inspired a new level of engagement, community, and mutual respect within and among the participants. Students’ talent flourished in the personal and meaningful pieces they made, and F&C is delighted that Olivia could facilitate such beauty. Funding was provided by the Crewe Foundation. 

Featured Image: Al, “Trash Heap,” pencil on paper, n.d.

Images Below: Images documenting Art and Art History Course at Maine State Prison with facilitator, Olivia Hochstadt.