DU PAI Host ‘Art Saves Lives’ Event
Poet and prison reentry specialist, Taj Ashaheed. Photo by Jake Riffel.
The University of Denver Prison Arts Initiative (DU PAI) hosted an "Art Saves Lives" speaker event last May featuring poet and prison reentry specialist Taj Ashaheed, who shared his powerful testimony about the transformative role of creative expression in incarceration and rehabilitation.
Ashaheed, an activist and formerly incarcerated individual, performed original poetry and participated in a Q&A session, demonstrating how words served as a vital mode of expression during and after his time in prison. The event highlighted the importance of arts programming in breaking cycles of recidivism and literally saving lives.
The DU Prison Arts Initiative generates creative and collaborative learning experiences that enrich the lives of incarcerated people while shifting public conversations about prison. The organization fosters high-quality therapeutic arts programming across Colorado through partnerships with community stakeholders.
"The 'Art Saves Lives' speaker series is crucial for spotlighting the role art plays in rehabilitation in the prison system," said Kareem El Damanhoury, DU PAI director. "Meeting and listening to formerly incarcerated artists as they recount their stories with art and showcase their creative work is such a powerful experience that underscores how we need to do even more in that regard."
The initiative's programming includes theater and performative arts, writing classes, visual arts workshops, and journalism training. These programs empower individuals to improve their quality of life and prepare to make positive changes in their communities upon release.
"DU PAI's main goal is to offer educational and reflective arts-based programming across Colorado prisons through collaborations with various community players," said El Damanhoury. "Despite ongoing challenges, we are adamant about not only sustaining our collaborative work in theater and performative arts, writing classes, visual arts workshops, and journalism training, but also expanding them."
To learn more about the DU Prison Arts Initiative and upcoming events, visit liberalarts.du.edu/prison-arts.
