By Ed Voves

This January, the Free Library of Philadelphia is proud to sponsor an engaging art exhibition, Prisoner Art for Social Justice, on display in the second floor gallery at Parkway Central Library from January 12 to February 15, 2015. The Free Library is joining with the non-profit organization Art for Justice to present 25 vibrant paintings created by people incarcerated in Pennsylvania prisons. Art for Justice seeks to show the humanity of people behind bars and to promote public dialog about the criminal justice system. The compelling works in the Parkway Central exhibition depict themes ranging from family life to evocations of political freedom, human equality, and social justice.

Prisoner Art for Social Justice is a collaborative venture with the Free Library's Prison Library service at the Philadelphia Prison System. Beginning as a pilot program of the Education, Philosophy, and Religion Department in 2013, seven library units in the Curran Fromhold Prison for men and a library at Riverside Prison for women have been opened.

In conjuction with the exhibition, the Free Library will be hosting an opening reception, free and open to the public, on Tuesday, January 13 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Parkway Central. Speakers include Tyrone Werts, a Pennsylvania Lifer commuted by Governor Ed Rendell; Dr. W. Wilson Goode, Sr., former mayor of Philadelphia, Free Library Trustee, and President/CEO of Amachi, Inc.; Ann Marie Kirk, co-founder and director of Art for Justice; and Ed Voves, library supervisor I of the Education, Philosophy, and Religion Department and the Workplace at Parkway Central Library.

Come check out this fascinating and free exhibition at Parkway Central Library!