Published Tuesday, 04 September, 2007 at 02:47 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
PRISONER ART AND CRAFT NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE ONLINE: SPENCE
Art and craft created by Queensland prisoners will now be available for sale on the internet, following the launch of an Online Gallery showcasing the creative works of artists living behind the razor wire.
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence will launch the new Queensland Corrective Services Online Gallery, at the opening of a Prisoner Art and Craft Exhibition at Parliament House tonight.
“This online gallery will progressively showcase a range of art and craft created inside our state’s correctional centres, with some pieces donated by the prisoners, for sale online,” Ms Spence said.
“The website will provide an opportunity for members of the public to view new prisoner art and craft as it becomes available, and to make a purchase when they see something they like.
“A percentage of the profit from the sale of art and craft will be donated to charity, while remaining profits will help fund the purchase of often expensive art materials for prisoners, through the prisoner amenities fund.
“This is an innovative initiative that will give the public some insight into how our rehabilitative programs are achieving success with many inmates, while also providing an outlet for the sale of some truly beautiful work.”
Ms Spence said a number of pieces on the website are currently on display as part of the Prisoner Art and Craft exhibition in the Colonnade at State Parliament.
“There are around 40 pieces of artwork on display for the exhibition, by more than 30 prisoners from Queensland correctional centres,” Ms Spence said.
“The collection includes a variety of paintings, leatherworks, woodwork and small furniture items.
“The prisoners have put a lot of effort into their art and craft and the results are in many cases quite spectacular.”
Ms Spence said art and craft programs in Queensland prisons provide inmates with a platform to express themselves in a creative environment and can be used as a therapeutic form of rehabilitation in conjunction with other prisoner programs.
“Many of the prisoners I have spoken to have told me of the great satisfaction and increased confidence they feel, when people admire their work,” Ms Spence said.
“Some prisoners are also gaining new qualifications through their participation in art and craft – with a number of inmates already working towards a Certificate 3 in furnishing (cabinet making) as a result of the woodwork projects they undertake.
“Our art and trade instructors are to be commended for their initiative in providing inmates with positive outlets, and opportunities to build new skills that will aid in their rehabilitation.”
Entry is free to the exhibition, which is on display in the Colonnade at Parliament House, until September 20.
Members of the public can view samples of art and craft online at: www.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 3239 6172/ 0408 732 491
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence will launch the new Queensland Corrective Services Online Gallery, at the opening of a Prisoner Art and Craft Exhibition at Parliament House tonight.
“This online gallery will progressively showcase a range of art and craft created inside our state’s correctional centres, with some pieces donated by the prisoners, for sale online,” Ms Spence said.
“The website will provide an opportunity for members of the public to view new prisoner art and craft as it becomes available, and to make a purchase when they see something they like.
“A percentage of the profit from the sale of art and craft will be donated to charity, while remaining profits will help fund the purchase of often expensive art materials for prisoners, through the prisoner amenities fund.
“This is an innovative initiative that will give the public some insight into how our rehabilitative programs are achieving success with many inmates, while also providing an outlet for the sale of some truly beautiful work.”
Ms Spence said a number of pieces on the website are currently on display as part of the Prisoner Art and Craft exhibition in the Colonnade at State Parliament.
“There are around 40 pieces of artwork on display for the exhibition, by more than 30 prisoners from Queensland correctional centres,” Ms Spence said.
“The collection includes a variety of paintings, leatherworks, woodwork and small furniture items.
“The prisoners have put a lot of effort into their art and craft and the results are in many cases quite spectacular.”
Ms Spence said art and craft programs in Queensland prisons provide inmates with a platform to express themselves in a creative environment and can be used as a therapeutic form of rehabilitation in conjunction with other prisoner programs.
“Many of the prisoners I have spoken to have told me of the great satisfaction and increased confidence they feel, when people admire their work,” Ms Spence said.
“Some prisoners are also gaining new qualifications through their participation in art and craft – with a number of inmates already working towards a Certificate 3 in furnishing (cabinet making) as a result of the woodwork projects they undertake.
“Our art and trade instructors are to be commended for their initiative in providing inmates with positive outlets, and opportunities to build new skills that will aid in their rehabilitation.”
Entry is free to the exhibition, which is on display in the Colonnade at Parliament House, until September 20.
Members of the public can view samples of art and craft online at: www.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 3239 6172/ 0408 732 491