A Creative Ministry
The Elmwood Art and Spirit Ministry began in 2011 with a vision and a handful of volunteers from Campbell United Methodist Church that has now expanded to volunteers from other churches. This program provides opportunities for inmates in Santa Clara County jails to connect with the Spirit through the creative arts. Each session has a spiritual theme and includes art, music, scripture, prayer, writing, and reflective discussion. The classes are offered in units on both the men’s and women’s sides of the Elmwood jail. They are inclusive and welcome everyone – regardless of spiritual beliefs.
Participation in the community creative process:
- Strengthens and deepens their journey of faith
- Affects self-esteem and general outlook
- Offers opportunities to develop self-discipline, concentration and problem-solving skills
- Fosters cooperation, kindness, and supportive generosity among diverse groups of people
- Teaches techniques and behaviors to help cope with their current reality, including journaling, breath prayers and poetry
- Develops community skills, such as working in teams and communicating effectively, both in writing and verbally
- Helps inmates understand their inherent value and care about their neighbors — pivotal in changing lives
- Instills belief in the possibility of transformation
Transformation: Art from Within is an exhibit of the art that was created in the Elmwood Art and Spirit Ministry classes. It affirms how art enables incarcerated men and women to tap into their humanity, their spirit and their gifts. Recognizing the dignity of their humanity, and the commonalities we share, is essential for the incarcerated. Each piece has been created in community by a diverse group of inmates. The art and writing show there is more to them than their crime. Their work exhibits introspection, spirituality, promise and hope.
Since 2011 it has been hosted by Presiding Judge – The Honorable Brian Walsh at the SCC Hall of Justice, Supervisor Ken Yeager’s office at the SCC Government Center and Sheriff Laurie Smith and the VMC foundation at the Valley Medical Center.
See the amazing variety of art produced by the inmates: from prayer flags to the three-panel “More than Stripes;” from peace cards to a stunning weaving; and from thoughtful Haiku poetry to the uplifting “Metamorphosis,” whose genesis was pages from the California Penal Code — and so much more!
Voices of Visitors to the Transformation Exhibit
Tony, age 17 – Sometimes it good to see something from a whole different perspective and to see just how we can relate to each a lot more than we do. It shows how much we have in common. My favorite piece was the “Voices from Elmwood.” The writing that touched me the most was the one that said, “It means a lot that you’re here tonight. It means that the world hasn’t given up yet.”
I was amazed at how we set expectations about people who have different backgrounds than us and then you see their art product and how phenomenal it is. And instead of thinking in terms of “them” and “us,” the reality is we’re all “us.” You can see the passion they have for the art. It came through, and I felt warmed by it. I was moved to tears at times. It was phenomenal.
I work at the Hall of Justice and I’m just blown away by what I’ve seen. I’m so excited to come out and be a part of this experience.
I am going to make sure all my law students come to this exhibit. I took pictures of the art and I’m going to show it to the students. I was so impressed.
I hope this exhibit gets to be displayed in more public areas, such as libraries. It is very powerful.
I brought the youth group from my church to this exhibit. They were in awe of what they saw and felt blessed that they got to be a part of this special event.
I had tears throughout this exhibit. The uniform piece on Transformation affected me the most. The idea that you could transform your life into something wonderful – that’s where I cried the most.