A unique exhibition in St. Louis is changing how the public views incarcerated men. The Inside Expressions gallery show, currently at the Gretchen Brigham Gallery, features work from men held at the Crossroads Correctional Center. One of the featured artists, Charles R. Everett, has spent 13 years behind bars. He now leads an informal drawing group for six other inmates, producing detailed illustrations that are finding a wider audience outside of prison walls.
The project started after Sharon Turlington, a former public defender, displayed a piece of art created by a former client. When friends inquired about the origin of the work, she realized the potential for sharing these stories. Many of these artists spent years creating art with limited tools like flexible plastic pens before earning access to professional-grade supplies in special housing units. The gallery exhibit is open through August 22.
For artists like Everett, the work provides a necessary outlet. He describes his art as a way to process the environment of incarceration and maintain a connection to the world beyond his current situation. His current project is a graphic novel about a futuristic world that he intends to dedicate to his daughter. The exhibit allows him and his peers to showcase their technical skill while reframing how others see them as individuals.
Families of the artists have also found the exhibition impactful. It offers a way to see their loved ones in a positive light, distinct from the circumstances of their incarceration. The gallery display serves as a reminder that human creativity and ambition continue even in restricted environments, providing a sense of purpose for those involved.