DU PAI Saves Lives
Poet and prison reentry specialist, Taj Ashaheed. Photo by Jake Riffel.
The University of Denver Prison Arts Initiative (DU PAI) has launched the "Art Saves Lives" speaker series, featuring formerly incarcerated artists across modalities — poetry, music, painting, writing and more — every quarter to spotlight the transformative role of creative expression in incarceration and rehabilitation.
The series kicked off last May with poet and prison reentry specialist Taj Ashaheed, who shared his powerful testimony about how words served as a vital mode of expression during and after his time in prison. Ashaheed, an activist and formerly incarcerated individual, performed original poetry and participated in a Q&A session, demonstrating the importance of arts programming in breaking cycles of recidivism and literally saving lives.
"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 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 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."
Next up in the speaker series is musician Bob Eisenman, scheduled to speak on DU’s campus in November. Eisenman, who works on reentry initiatives, will perform some of his original musical work while sharing his experiences about the transformative power of art.
To learn more about the DU Prison Arts Initiative and upcoming events, visit liberalarts.du.edu/prison-arts.
