SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL

Barrios Unidos Exhibit Puts Prison Art On Display

ByIsaiahGuzman,02.18.2012

AmanviewsartworkbyvariousartistsattheopeningoftheBarriosUnidosPrisonArtExhibitinSantaCruzonFriday.

SANTA CRUZ - To make one of his most prized art creations, convicted felon Danny Contreras had to gather hundreds of pieces of eggshell from other inmates. And in turn that creation and the rest of the art he made while behind bars for 12 years helped him gather the pieces of his life and find a way to cope with losing his freedom at the age of 17. "It helped me pass the time, do something productive," the 30-year-old said. "Whatever I was going through I could just draw and zone out. It was like therapy almost." Contreras and other prison artists will have their work on display at the Barrios Unidos Prison Art Exhibit through April 17. The exhibit opened Friday night at Barrios Unidos, 1817 Soquel Ave., with a reception that included live music and a turnout of about 100 people. The art, much of which is Aztec and street-style pieces done with pen and pencil, is being sold to raise money for the Barrios Unidos Prison Project, a program that aims to connect prisoners with the community to help prevent violence behind bars and on the streets. Also featured were poetry and "Words of Wisdom," letters from prisoners to youth about what they would tell their 17year-old selves if they could go back in time. "I think it gives people hope," Barrios Unidos Executive Director Daniel "Nane" Alejandrez said. "We say art is a path to peace and we look at it that way because when people are creating art, they're not creating violence." Contreras' eggshell creation, a San Francisco Giants emblem held together with wax and glue and colored with paints, is perhaps the most original on display. He also donated two white handkerchiefs covered with detailed colored pencil and pen murals of Aztec and cultural images. While in prison, Contreras often sold similar handkerchiefs for as much as $20 to other inmates for extra food.

He was released eight months ago after serving 12 years for manslaughter with gang enhancements. He said he was involved in a fight in Paso Robles where his best friend was stabbed, though he survived.

"I basically held my best friend in my arms while he was dying," Contreras said. "I stayed at the scene while everybody else took off." While in prison, Contreras got his GED and an associate of arts degree in social behavior science. Contreras attends Cabrillo College, where he is working toward becoming an addiction specialist. In the meantime, he talks with youth, hoping to spare them from wasting years behind bars like he did.
AgroupofwomendiscusstheartworkattheopeningoftheBarrios UnidosPrisonArtExhibitonFriday.

"I just tell them, look this is the way I thought and I got caught up," he said. "I just feel blessed by God that I didn't

get a life sentence and I'm out here doing something else." Prison art is something Barrios Unidos has incorporated in its designs and outreach for years. Albino Garcia, who runs Albuquerque's La Placita Institute, a similar organization to Barrios Unidos, said some of the art has been on T-shirts in the community. "It frees them," he said of art for prisoners, "and it connects them to the world and the society that they're excluded from." The exhibit's featured artist is Sonny Trujillo, a man serving two 25-to-life sentences in Pelican Bay on the three-strikes law for what Alejandrez said were repeated misdemeanor drug offenses. "So we need to do something to change these laws," Alejandrez said. "He always tells me, 'Nane, I stay positive, I stay positive.'" John and Betty Devalcourt, both in their 70s, were among the attendees on Friday night. The couple works with Contreras in a prison outreach group called Alternative Violence Project. They stopped to encourage him before leaving for the evening. "I think it raised awareness for the general public of the humanity of the people inside," John said. "This is an example of how these men and women can and do rehabilitate themselves through art." IF YOU GO WHAT: Barrios Unidos Prison Art Exhibit WHEN: Through April 17 WHERE: Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos, 1817 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz DETAILS: Art made by rehabilitating prisoners throughout the state will be on display and for sale. Proceeds benefit the Barrios Unidos Prison Project, which aims to prevent violence behind bars and on the streets by connecting prisoners with the community. Much of the art is done with pen and pencil. Also featured are prison poetry and "Words of Wisdom," letters from prisoners to youth about what they would tell themselves as 17-year-olds if they could go back in time. INFORMATION: go to www.barriosunidos.net or call 457-8208.