The Northwestern Prison Education Program (NPEP) provides a high-quality liberal arts education to incarcerated students in Illinois, in partnership with Oakton College and the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). It is the only bachelor’s degree-granting program for incarcerated students offered by a top 10 university in the U.S.

The Visibility Initiative (VI) fosters connection and community at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law through shared experiences with art and aesthetics. VI brings together students, staff, faculty, and alumni to curate exhibits, host workshops, and create inclusive spaces for conversation and reflection.

The Undergraduate Prison Education Partnership (UPEP) connects Evanston undergraduates with incarcerated students in NPEP through tutoring, workshops, advocacy, and fundraising events.

NPEP Students produced the works of this exhibit in response to the theme of “Law in Life.” Their pieces address many facets of the carceral experience including family, love, labor, and justice.

The artists participating in this year’s exhibition engaged in a series of workshops held between January and April 2025. These sessions were designed to support both the creative and professional development of each participant. Throughout the workshops, artists learned strategies for brainstorming and refining ideas, as well as methods for planning and executing complex visual projects from concept to completion. In addition to building technical and conceptual skills, the workshops placed a strong emphasis on the collaborative aspects of creative practice—helping participants learn to give and receive critical feedback in a constructive and supportive environment.

The resulting works represent a range of artistic approaches and media. This year’s cohort experimented with fiber, sculpture, digital media, oil paint, acrylic paint, and graphite, among other materials. Each artist brought a unique perspective to the process, and the diversity of mediums reflects the individuality of their creative visions. The exhibition offers viewers a chance to experience this variety firsthand and to engage with the ideas, techniques, and experimentation that shaped the artists’ work over the course of the program.

• Elbonie Burnside • Margaret DeFrancisco • Jeanine A. Elam • Latosha Howard • Patricia Ouska •

• Chelsea “Irie” Raker •  Erika Ray • Bonnie D. Shelesny • Cindy Shepheard-Robinette •

• Ariel Bueno • Patrick Comi • Dahnyah • Yaphet Davis • Edmond Duffin • Anthony Ehlers • Jason Gorham • Lynn Green •

• Falanzo Marquest • Cincere (Jamal Jones) • Michael Jorgensen • Scoti Millar • Oscar Gutierrez • Anonymous • Hugo Ocon R49602 •

• Dewayne Power Robinson • Mohommad Salahat • Jason Samuels • Charles Serrano • Kobie Singleton • Tony Triplett • Ian Valencia •

If an artwork within the exhibit particularly resonates with you, please consider sharing your response with the corresponding artist. You may utilize this digital guestbook to respond to an artist’s work.

All messages will be shared at the conclusion of the exhibit.