In partnership with Arizona State University's (ASU) Center for Correctional Solutions, residents at CoreCivic's Red Rock Correctional Center in Eloy, Arizona, are now showcasing their art created through the {Ink}arcerated program. The artwork includes paintings, pencil drawings, woodwork and more.

Launched by ASU students in 2017, the {Ink}arcerated program brings art created and donated by incarcerated artists from across the state to a community gallery for display every year, and then it is sold for a charitable cause. Since 2023, that cause has been the Center for Correctional Solutions Scholarship, which supports the higher education of justice-involved individuals and their families.

This year's showcase is being held in May. Below are some examples of artwork created by artists at Red Rock Correctional Center, and what each piece means to them:

Peace in the Storm

"Being a person of not many words, I began creating art when I was a teenager in a journey to how to express myself. I never saw myself having a specific style of drawing and painting. I just do it because I love it and at the moment of creating a piece of art, the only thing that matters to me is to express who and what I am. The inspiration and message behind "Peace in the Storm" is God teaching us to trust him, knowing that he is always with us, especially in the midst of the most traumatic situations."

Next Chapter

"Being new to the art world has allowed me to venture into an environment where I'm still learning what style defines me as an artist. I've only been drawing for a couple years and painting for a little less than a year now. My art journey started out shortly after my incarceration and progressively developed as I found myself in a "Zen" like state every time I put pencil to paper. At first, drawing was a way to drive time forward when subconsciously I cultivated a new beginning for myself. I was later approached by a fellow mentor to try my hand at painting and immediately I became immersed in how one's artistic interpretation of an image can be perceived with such sublime. I was fortunate enough to be a part of the {Ink}arcerated program this year in hopes to inspire another individual, incarcerated or not, to find their passion. My loose expressionist style landscape painting was inspired to represent that no matter how big the storm is in your life, the sun will shine again. It is at this moment that like a book, your next chapter begins."

Hole in the Rocks

"This is my 3^rd year in the show. My style is evolving, elements of impressionism and pop, always exploring color. I was inspired by my mom; she loved taking my sister and myself to Papago Park and she loved to draw and paint it. This is my first time painting it, I painted it as I imagined it was before it was a park, when the wild horses ruled."