by Monica Chamness
Staff Writer
Camp for most children involves cabins on the lake, horseback riding, canoes and other outdoor adventures. For the juvenile inmates of Public School 176, their great outdoors is found only in the paintings they create and stories they write.
The Cultural Arts Motivational Program (CAMP) is just one program under a broad umbrella of services initiated by the State Attorney’s Office to help juvenile offenders. The program is funded by a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts and its goal is to use art to change the lives of troubled teens.
“We are always looking for some way to reach the kids,” said Catherine Goldman, administrator of special projects in the Juvenile Justice Division of the State Attorney’s Office.
In 1998 the State Attorney’s Office approached the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville with a plan to expose incarcerated juveniles to art. The first collaborative effort was a giant mural of the sixth floor of the Pretrial Detention Center. Under the guidance of artist Daniel Wynn, the mural became the backdrop for a play, “Langston Hughes: Poet of the People,” which featured juvenile inmates.
“It’s a safe way to let out,” said Goldman. “They aren’t allowed to let out anger and they can’t let out tears because of what the other kids may say. It’s theater with a message.”
“It was the genesis of how we got involved,” added Amy Crane, marketing director at the Cultural Council. “They were not in their comfort zone. Some of these guys dressed up like women [for the play] and they’re some pretty rough guys.”
Every Thursday afternoon at the jail, artist Tony Rodrigues lends his expertise to help these angry young men express themselves in a positive way. Self-directed constructions of non-representational pieces are his current focus. Infused in each painting course is a discussion of art history.
“We talk about calligraphy, graphic design, stencil, color theory and symbolism, the psychology of color,” said Rodrigues. “We worked on exercises first. It was sort of cathartic and therapeutic for them.”
Carlos Serzance participated in CAMP while he was in jail. Following his release, he continued to be involved through the Cultural Arts Network of Volunteers, Artists and Students (CANVAS), an after school program where young people can paint instead of get into trouble.
Rather than targeting juvenile inmates with hidden talents in the hope of producing successful artists, the most critical component of CAMP is self-exploration and an appreciation for the arts.
“Lots of these youth have not been exposed to art,” said Linda Butner, education director for the Cultural Council. “With this program we are able to tap into talent that they didn’t know they had and build self-esteem.”
“I think the process of reflecting outweighs the final product, although some great paintings come out of it, a few I’d like to have for myself,” said Rodrigues.
It’s not all brush strokes, though.
Creative writing, poetry and group discussions of current events are other elements of CAMP. Those programs are led by freelance writer Tricia Booker.
Currently, only inmates charged as adults are eligible to participate. The program is not mandatory and is touted as a privilege. Those being disciplined for poor behavior are not allowed to participate.
“We didn’t say to the kids, ‘This is art therapy,’ but they responded so well we knew we wanted to continue and to expand it to all the kids,” said Goldman.
“You realize that because of the regimented, narrow focus [of a correctional facility], this is an opportunity to do something different,” said Crane. “Everything else is so institutional.”
Seeing these juveniles channel their emotions in healthy ways is the reward for Rodrigues.
“It takes them a while to trust you,” he explained. “This has been a great experience for me. I’ve found it to be an interesting diversion. There are just so many schools that have cut out art programs.”
Faced with a state-wide budget crunch and the cutback of art programs in public schools, CAMP leaders are facing a funding crisis. The current grant only extends through next year with no guarantee of renewal.
“What’s important is to keep going, have more days during the week and continue to research,” said Butner. “We are aware that the state attorney, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the teachers working in the jail are also enthusiastic and can see how it does touch their lives, gives them positive alternatives and a different approach. It helps for them to see that somebody cares.”
According to Butner, the art curriculum helps to eradicate apathy and boost test scores.
“It helps them with their cognitive skills and gives them a desire to learn,” she said.
The program has been lauded as a national model and was featured on Discovery Channel in September.
“Programs in the jail are at risk like any other,” said Goldman. “Our saving grace is a lot of volunteer participants.”