Charles R. Everett has spent 13 years at the Crossroads Correctional Center. For much of that time, he has filled his days with drawing. Now, his work and the creations of five other incarcerated men are featured in an exhibition titled Inside Expressions at the Gretchen Brigham Gallery in St. Louis.
Former public defender Sharon Turlington organized the show after keeping one of Everett’s drawings in her home for years. She noticed the skill required to produce detailed, vibrant illustrations using only simple flex pens, which are the standard writing tools provided to new arrivals in the prison system. Once the artists earned access to better materials in the prison honor dorm, their output grew in complexity and scale.
Everett describes his process as drawing entirely from memory without references. He teaches the basics of illustration to fellow inmates, viewing the practice as a way to maintain purpose and articulate observations about the world. His current project is a graphic novel about a futuristic society, which he plans to dedicate to his daughter.
For the artists, this exhibition provides a rare connection to the outside world. Turlington notes that the families of these men feel a renewed sense of pride seeing their relatives recognized for their creative abilities. The exhibition runs through August 22 at the Union Avenue Christian Church.
This initiative serves as a reminder that individuals behind bars possess talents and perspectives that often remain hidden. By moving their art from a prison common room to a public gallery, the project invites the community to engage with the humanity of those currently serving time.