Unlocking creativity: Artist perspectives break free in Michigan Prison Art Exhibition

EXHIBITION After 20 straight years of participating in the Annual Exhibition of Artists in Michigan Prisons, this will be the first time artist Duane Montney will personally attend the show. Released from a 32-year prison term this past November, Montney will have three pieces in its 28th edition March 19-April 2. "I just want to be there to absorb it and enjoy being next to a lot of artist work that I admire,- he said. "Over the years, I have enjoyed the process of coming up with a concept and allowing my creativity to fill in the spaces. The way I could get lost in a piece took me away from prison but also allowed me to show the viewer something about prison or time they might not have thought of. This year's edition will feature 750 works of art by 490 artists in two and three dimensions, including portraits, tattoo imagery, landscapes, fantasy and wildlife, as well as images about incarceration and entirely new visions. "Every time I see art from this year's exhibition, I see something new and inspiring,- said Nora Krinitsky, the Prison Creative Arts Project Project director.