Paul Liberatore and John Cantwell inside Whitey Bulger's old cell
When award-winning journalist – Paul Liberatore– and freelance photographer – James Cacciatore accompanied me to ‘The Rock’ on Tuesday May 30th, their mission was to conduct an interview and take photos of the current “Art Escape at Alcatraz” exhibit in the Band Practice Room. We were treated to a special tour of the prison and island by longtime National Parks Service Ranger, John Cantwell. Before he concluded the tour, we were invited to climb to the tippy top of the Alcatraz Island lighthouse. WOW! That was ever so thrilling! I daresay that both Paul and James were tickled pink (and couldn’t have been more boyish) and I was equally up for the challenge and high adventure of a lifetime!
Paul called me again this past Thursday to ask a few more questions before writing his bang up piece - “Mill Valley artist goes to 'the Rock' to curate 'Art Escape at Alcatraz’”, which appeared on the...get this... FRONT PAGE of today’s (Sunday, June 11th) “MARIN IJ”.
Woo Hoo!
Ii is superbly well written and I hope it reaches and touches many people far and wide to give insight into the plight of inmates (and inmate artists) in the penal system today. Please share!
PS Feel free to check out Paul’s Facebook Page
Enjoy, and blessings galore!
Leslie Lakes, Director
Jame and Paul taking pics inside lighthouse
Ranger John and James taking pics of Paul on top of lighthouse
Leslie hanging close to outside lighthouse
Leslie: Look Ma...no hands!