ANTICIPATION AT VISITATION

I just returned home from San Quentin State Prison where I visited a super talented, jazz musician friend of mine named Lee.   We first met several years ago while I was volunteering for a business entrepreneurial program called THE LAST MILE in the same prison – a program which Lee had participated in at the time. I do my best to coordinate a visit with Lee at least once every three months and just wanted to share with you my experiences doing so.

While one can schedule an appt via a CDCR online program, I prefer to simply show up as a “walk-in”.  I usually arrive at the prison by 7:30am with my thermos of hot coffee, a book or magazine, my cell phone, car keys and a transparent gallon size plastic freezer bag in which I have my driver’s license, two $10 rolls of quarters for the vending machines; two single dollar bills to purchase a “ducat” which is the currency to purchase a photo once inside the visiting room.  Only the freezer bag contents are allowed inside; all other items are stored in a locker.

Visitors who have made appts up until 10am are allowed to be processed first. The, the “walk-ins like myself form a queue. But until such time, we all either stand or sit on hard wooden benches that line a long cement outdoor building at the East Gate area.   It’s a busy place with much anticipation and eagerness to enter and not be turned away (due to a possible lock-down situation, or for lack of proper ID or improper clothing attire.  Women greet each other and talk excitedly; women with children keep the little ones occupied, and the men who visit smile quietly and listen to the women talk.

The acrylic painting titled “ANTICIPATION”, which was recently on display at Alcatraz under the auspices of the WILLIAM JAMES ASSOCIATION was created by San Quentin inmate artist, Gerald Morgan.  It’s a piece of art that so aptly conveys the emotional experience of the visitation waiting area.

I’m convinced that most people have a misconception of what it’s like to visit inside a prison …at least at San Quentin.  Once inside, I am always struck by a profound sense of joy of family. It’s a happy place for the time of the visit. There is so much genuine caring, love, respect for others, courtesy, laughter, sharing, sense of community , patience, playing of board games (I love Scrabble), holding of hands, stolen kisses, conversations and catching up…all until 2:30pm when visitors are asked to leave and those who are within the CDCR system line up to be processed back into the mainline. The time passes so quickly, too. Until the next visit. 

Blessings,

Leslie, Director

RAPHAEL THE RACCOON MAKES THE ROUNDS!

P.A.T.H. recently became an official member of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce and I'm so excited about it.   The very first "Mixer" I attended, I met a lovely man- Eldon Takeda (an Independent LegalShield/IDShield Associate).  Eldon was carrying around with him this adorable rascally raccoon plushie that I originally thought belonged to Eldon.  But, as it turns out Raphael the Raccoon is none other than the Chamber's unique conversation piece and "sure to break the ice when it comes to conversation" mascot. Lucky Raphael gets to spend two weeks with a different member of the SRCOC.  So, guess who Raphael chose to go home with?  That's right! Me!

Check out the pics as Raphael makes the rounds with me during the course of my running non-profit errands: from the Bank of Marin (Raphie got to meet Bank Branch Manager, Kerry Tusup); to the Post Office on East Blithedale Avenue in Mill Valley; at my home computer desk where he made friends with our cat, Simone; to the San Francisco courthouse; hanging out in style with me, my husband and artist friend -

Isiah Daniels at the Mill Valley Depot Café (check out Isiah’s artwork here); admiring an original raccoon drawing by formerly incarcerated artist, Joseph Owens...and even a special trip to the island of Alcatraz!  

I will sorely miss Raphael when I have to pass him along to the next SRCOC member.

Enjoy! And, blessings,

Leslie, Director

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Photo captions: 

Admiring a raccoon pen drawing by Joseph Owen

Artist, Isiah Daniels in front of his artwork at Alcatraz

On the Alcatraz Cruises Ferry

With National Parks Service Ranger, Eric Stearns and Leslie

At the Mill Valley Bank of Marin with Bank Manager, Kerry Tusup

At the Mill Valley Post Office

At the San Francisco Courthouse

At the Mill Valley Depot Cafe with Bill (L) and artist, Isiah Daniels (R)

Raphie making friends with our cat, Simone

P.A.T.H. Raises $1K for E.L.M

It is with great pleasure and honor for me to announce that P.A.T.H. recently made a gift to  E.L.M. (Enriching Lives Through Music) of $1K.    This was made possible via P.A.T.H.’s fundraising efforts from the February 1- May 30th, 2017 ANIMALIA  MUSICALE : A Chorus of Critters exhibit that took place in the Redwood Foyer of the Marin Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael, CA. 

This special fundraising event for E.L.M. would not have been possible without the assistance of the amazing Marin Center staff, in particular: Gabriella Calicchio, Charlie Barboni, Libby Garrison, Ellen Campbell and Wendy Goldberg. Thank you for appreciating and having faith in the artwork, and for providing this prestigious venue for the Spring 2017 season when (and where) so many other worthwhile cultural, music and theatrical events took place.  

Some E.L.M. highlights:

ELM was recently selected to receive a $30K grant from Carnegie Hall's Play USA. ELM joins this network that supports organizations across the country that offer instrumental music education programs to low-income and underserved K–12 students. This grant will fund E.L.M.’s new brass and wind instrument program for students at Venetia Valley School in San Rafael.

One of ELM's 8th grade violinists (see pics) was chosen to participate in the National Take A Stand Festival in LA.

Nine ELM students attended Cazadero Music Camp on full scholarships. 

Click here to watch a video of the E.L.M Limoncito Spring Concert (May 20, 2016), which took place at the Mt. Tam United Methodist Church in Mill Valley with renowned conductor of the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra -  Juan Felipe Molano conducting.

Blessings,

Leslie Lakes, P.A.T.H. Director

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Photos captions:

E.L.M. new wind instrument students

E.L.M. new wind instrument students

E.L.M. string instrument students

Juan Felipe Molano conducts E.L.M. orchestra at Mt. Tam United Methodist Church

E.L.M. 8th grade violinist (far left) at National Take a Stand Festival

E.L.M. Ukelele music students

E.L.M. music students perform at Marin IJ Lobby Lounge

Young E.L.M. music student

NOT JUST WALLS...BUT WHAT THEY KNEW!

Andrew Valencia is one of many talented, incarcerated artists who I have the pleasure of corresponding and working with.  Andrew asked if I'd write a letter of recommendation on his behalf to send to the Parole Board and my immediate answer was: "Absolutely! Yes!”

While Andrew was recently transferred back to a California prison awaiting an upcoming parole board hearing, you can read here about his collaborative mural paintings, which inspired many at the La Palma Correctional Center in Eloy, AZ.

Andrew always puts his heart into art, as seen in his fabulously colorful and detailed pen drawing titled  "The Takeover”.  The Indian occupation of Alcatraz, from 1969 through 1971 was a favorite subject among inmate artists who participated in P.A.T.H.’s recent major and well received "Art Escape at Alcatraz”exhibit (which took place in the Band Practice Room at Alcatraz May-June).    Valencia’s “The Takeover” depicts portraits of occupation leaders, as well as the noble visages of Native American chiefs from the past.

Andrew’s dream is to be an art teacher and to mentor “at risk” youth through the transformative power of art programs once he his finally released on parole. There is no doubt in my mind that he will be a successful instructor, mentor and motivator.

Time and time again, art proves to be a valuable redemptive and therapeutic vehicle for men and women in prison. Aside from being an outlet for self-expression and stress relief, it boosts self-esteem, helps connect inmates with family members and others from the outside world. And, last but not least, serves as a way for those behind bars to tangibly give back to the community. 

Please consider making a donation to P.A.T.H. to help us continue to encourage incarcerated artists like Andrew.

Thank you and God bless!

Leslie Lakes, Director

Image Credit: "The Takeover" by Andrew Valencia

A Splash of Color

I recently met an exceptional young man at LAUNCH’s non-profit event, which took place at the Green Chili Kitchen restaurant in San Rafael a couple of weeks ago. At first I assumed Taalib was in his early-mid 20's due to his mature demeanor and carriage, and was surprised to learn that he's an 18 year old college student. I had the opportunity to share with Taalib some artwork created by incarcerated artist, Jeremy J. Hammill (who paints with coffee and colored pencils and who recently started drawing stunning portraits with black pen).  When I showed Taalib this particular painting by Jeremy (homage to Salvador Dali's 1931 "Persistence of Memory”), Taalib was immediately struck by how closely it aligned with his own poem titled "A Splash of Color", which I'd like to share with you. This is a poem that I plan to share with all incarcerated artists.

Enjoy and be blessed.

Leslie, Director 

Arwork credit: Jeremy J. Hammill; FL (2/13/16)

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“A SPLASH OF COLOR" by Taalib Smith, 2017

Einstein said darkness is just the absence of light.

So is sadness the absence of happiness?

Ignorance is bliss and happy to say that I'm not experiencing this.

But tell me what did you really mean by that kiss?

Confusion, without an answer there's no real conclusion.

But confusion is a true fusion of black and white.

Not necessarily right and wrong because who established that white is right and that black is wrong.

Why is white always pure, as good as the perfect contour, and the cure to being insecure?

And black perceived as dangerous, contagiously outrageous and negatively courageous.

What if everything was grey? That's not a place I'd necessarily want to stay.

Yeah no hierarchy, no structure, one color not better than the other because we're all the same. But living in a universe like that wouldn't you feel shame?

See grey is yin and yang mixed together into one, complex but boring and one color is no fun! Metaphorically grey to me is the lack of foresight and creativity.

Why must the spectrum be diminished to the polar opposites, and yes opposites attract, but why must we subtract, the other colors?

The gorgeous greens we see in the trees, the fiery passionate reds, the buzzing yellow bumble bees, the beautiful blues of all these colors there's different hues, blends, opacity, mixtures, textures, and new colors being created in seconds by nonconforming thinkers running free running wild, this trait I have to ingrain in my child.

All colors, new colors, true colors interacting as they may,

Reminding us how we re-envision the world, something like clay.

All the colors flying free, beautiful chaos, just as tranquil as can be;

This is really how I believe the world to be,

And anyone can too,

Just takes a pair of open eyes to see.

The Art of Redemption

I first came to learn about Nicola White in an article published in the November 2016 issue of the San Quentin News.  Since I didn’t have Nicola’s direct contact info, I initially approached the Greenwich Gallery (UK) mentioned in the article and requested they forward my message to her. Nicola (who gave up her job as a banker to start mudlarking adventures) responded and thus we began to forge a friendship based on mutual interests as professional artists who were passionate about helping to give voice and validation to imprisoned artists.  What makes Nicola’s mission and work so unique is her focus on  death row inmate artists  at San Quentin Prison.  Death row no longer exists in the England prison system (abolished in 1965).

This past mid-March, Nicola made a trip over to Mill Valley, CA and we finally had a chance to hook up in person.  Please enjoy a recent BBC video about Nicola and the talented San Quentin death row artists she represents.

On another note, I absolutely concur with death row inmate artist – Bill Clark - how art provides three powerful benefits: PURPOSE, ACCOMPLISHMENT and PRIDE.   And, I can’t agree more with Nicola’s belief that art transforms and changes lives.  As seen in P.A.TH.’s artist - Oscar Barrascout’s pen drawing titled “Awareness and Change” that was on exhibit at the May-June 2017 Alcatraz exhibit.

“I could only imagine how it must have been to be housed at Alcatraz. In the drawing it is my hand holding the image that I can imagine seeing from the window on the weekends; watching the ferries as they bring the visitors to the island (Alcatraz) to see their loved ones - hoping and waiting that someone may have come to see me.

Note: Where the letter “T” (finger) is touching the heart, I used the color red to represent the changing of the heart: “Awareness and Change”. - Oscar Barrascout

Blessings,

Leslie Lakes, Director

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Pics legend:

Nicola White (L) and Leslie Lakes (R) at Illumigarden sculpture garden in Mill Valley (March 2017) 

"Awareness and Change" pen drawing by Oscar Barrascout

NEW ROCK ISLAND BOYS PLAY ALCATRAZ!

 

While “ART ESCAPE AT ALCATRAZ” – an art exhibit that was on display from May 1st-June 30th - has come to an end, music that was played in the Band Practice Room “gallery” space lives on.

I thought it would be so neat to have live acoustic music performed in that same space as a way to add dimension and richness to the artwork on display, as well as to entertain and draw visitors to the island into the Band Practice Room’s exhibit at the very end of their video tour.

On June 17th, Mill Valley musician – Rand Dobleman (whose day job is master custom motorcycle and Ducati painter) – played solo on his National Style Chrome Guitar, and the following Saturday (6/24),  musician/singers/songwriters -  Dore Coller and Matt Lacques (both Mill Valley based musicians) performed Blues, Blue Grass and old prison songs including “Hard Times”.    Even the National Parks Rangers and Alcatraz Crew wandered into the room to listen to and enjoy the music!

PS  Special thanks to all the Alcatraz Audio Tour Crew who helped alert the public to the show.

Thanks For Listening.

Blessings,

Leslie Lakes, Director

Photo legend:

Rand Dobleman

(L) Dore Coller and (R) Matt Laques

Alcatraz Audio Tour Crew:

(Left to Right): Ira, Matt, Adam, Alex, and Fred

Band Practice Room Panos by Barry Toranto

Tribute to my new friend, Bill Baker

I had the pleasure and opportunity to meet Mr. Bill Baker- one of the last surviving prisoners from Alcatraz when it was still serving as a Federal Penitentiary - when I first installed the "Art Escape at Alcatraz" exhibit in  the Band Practice Room at Alcatraz. Before even approaching and speaking to Bill, I happened to pick up a copy of his book - ALCATRAZ - 1259 and flipped to the first sentence of Chapter Nine (page 79) and read:

"How did I wind up in Alcatraz?  Good question.  But I don't know; must have been something I did".

 Well, that clinched it for me.  Loved his tongue in cheek sense of humor and immediately knew that I was not only going to enjoy reading his book, but that if his book honestly reflected the man, I'd like Bill, too!  Personally, I feel that his book should be on the NY TIMES bestsellers list. Such excellent writing that I asked Bill (with all due respect) if he used a ghost writer. "Nope"  "Every word is my own",he responded.  I said "Bill...you missed your calling.  Instead of forging counterfeit checks, you should have been a writer!"

In the interim, I approached a few of the incarcerated artists I work with to create a portrait of Bill and here are three to share with you.

PS  Bill is also an accomplished guitarist.  Here's Bill Baker rockin’ at Alcatraz

PPS  We all grow older and wiser and CHANGE! Enjoy!

Blessings,

Leslie Lakes, Director

Colored Pen Drawing by Trevor Jones; WA

Black Ink Drawing by Jeremy J. Hammill; FL

Portrait of Bill Baker by Phouc Nguyen; TX

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

P.A.T.H. and all incarcerated artists wish you a very happy safe and fun-filled Fourth of July.  We all value and cherish independence.

Enjoy the drawing by incarcerated artist - Ricky Zepeda; CA   Ricky shares the following which comes from on old Buddhist saying , which is also reflected in the Masonic order regarding a person's character.“Though one should conquer a thousand times a thousand men in battle, he who conquers his own self, is the greatest of all conquerors.”

A person’s character is but an effect of his own thoughts and set of beliefs; not realizing this makes him a slave of circumstances.  To start a journey that will set him free is to realize this great truth.  A mason is reminded that he travels  in that level of time to that undiscovered country where no traveler ever returns.  He must therefore learn how to conquer himself. 

image caption: Colored pen drawing by Ricky Zepeda; CA

WORLD PREMIERE ALCATRAZ SONG!

Creating music starts with an idea. 

On June 18th, 2015 a day after I returned home from a vacation in the South of France, I attended the AIC (Arts in Corrections) Conference at SFU.  And, was most fortunate to meet and speak with Sara Lee, Artistic Director  of the London based Irene Taylor Trust “Music in Prisons”

I asked Sara if her group of musicians would be willing to compose original fare (lyrics and music) for the “Art Escape at Alcatraz” exhibit/event (yet to take place).  So, that same month her prison music group was set a challenging task - to write a song about Alcatraz, a place none of them knew much about, or had ever really given much thought. Few of them had even seen the Clint Eastwood film. 

The music was composed by the group as a whole, and three men contributed lyrics, each of them differing in their response to the task. The first two vocalists opted to use Alcatraz as a metaphor for loneliness and isolation. ‘D’, the first MC opens the account with the lyric "Prison can be lonely, dreamin' of the nights you used to hold me, now I'm prayin' for the day when they parole me". ‘D’ sings of uncertainty (he's on an indeterminate sentence and was turned down for release by probation on the day we recorded this song), loneliness, how his child was born while he was in prison and the hope that his partner will be there for him on release.

‘C’ then assumes up the vocal and his take on the isolation and loneliness of "The Rock"-the metaphor is that no matter how much outside forces try to break him with solitude, he is in fact not alone, and with family support and his faith in a higher power, he will prevail. His chorus: "Oh, wi' de chains an ting, Alcatraz is where dey want me fae live my story, tol', wid me fait' I sing, I'm no island, my strengt' is within."

 The final vocalist ‘DD’ gives an up-tempo 16 bars summarising the story of Alcatraz as a prison, a history lesson personalised by such statements as "Alcatraz is in America but I'm a Cockney".

So, for the first time in history, may I proudly present music and lyrics to:

“Alcatraz”

“Oh, with the chains and things

Alcatraz is where they want me to live my story told

With my faith I sing

I’m no island, my strength is within

Never been robbed but then a rocket could have robbed me

Alcatraz is in America but I’m a cockney

I would have planned to escape but done it properly

Al Capone and Bumpy Johnson had to ride it ** me

They had to deal with times of prohibition

Criminals rich, now to break a mission

Put them on a rock in the ocean and call it prison

Try to break spirit of violence but no-one listens

Nineteen thirty four to nineteen sixty three

It took them twenty nine years before they realised its peak

Government were live baby, sucking on a teat

We’re now a tourist attraction for everyone to see

They should have known from day one it wouldn’t work

Spending all that money man the government got jerked,

Hiring officers, muscles bulging out their shirts,

I’m sure they learned from their mistakes but I doubt it’ll be the first.

© 2016

The Irene Taylor Trust Co.

UK

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

P.A.T.H. wishes every Dad, far and wide a very HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Father's Day is when Dad can have his candy and eat it, too!  Plus, Dad has every right to take a nap! Enjoy!  Have Fun!  

Blessings,
Leslie Lakes, Director
 

Art credits: 
"Hard Candy" Coffee painting using tightly rolled up tissues as a paint brush by Jeremy J. Hammill; FL

"Tired Baby" Coffee painting using tightly rolled up tissues as a paint brush by Jeremy J. Hammill; FL

Softening ‘The Rock’

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!

SUMMER OF LOVE...Yes, even at Alcatraz!

It's the SUMMER OF LOVE and P.A.T.H. invites you to take a trip down memory lane through the June issue of the new and fabulous MARIN ARTS & CULTURE Magazine.

Want to know what the Alluring Voices are all about at Alcatraz Prison these days?  Contributing writer - Valerie Shaw -  will gladly fill you in!

Whether you are local to the Marin County, CA and San Francisco Bay area or not, this elegant and well designed online magazine has a lot to offer, and will keep you well entertained and informed with a variety of fun happenings in the art scene...be it fashion, food, music, visual art, theater, poetry...you name it!.  And for a nominal annual subscription rate to boot.

PS  Took a few more pics when I was back out at the island.  Here is the abandoned Warden's House situated across from the still standing Coast Guard lighthouse.  Also came across a family of geese while walking up the stone path to the prison. Here you have a proud Papa goose struttin' his stuff in front; flanked by Junior gossling in the middle; with a watchful Mama following close behind.
It's a wonderful sight to see because while not unusual, it's rare to come across gosslings maturing on the island due to the onslaught of Western Gulls who steal the eggs before they hatch.

Enjoy!

Blessings,

Leslie Lakes, Director

WHEN PRISON ART GOES TO THE DOGS…

....but is straight from the heart!

Enjoy this new article by Judith M. Gallman featured in the June issue of Bay area’s “BAY WOOF” magazine.

Also for your viewing pleasure are several other canine drawings by the talented incarcerated artists I work with.  

Blessings,

Leslie Lakes, Director

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Artwork credit:

Evie; graphite on paper by Coleman Pannell; KS

Happy Dog; Coffee painting by Jeremy H. Hammill; FL

Shaggy Pooch; Colored pens by Chris Avitea; CA

King; Colored pencils by Ernie Garcia; CA

Lazy Dog; Acrylic paints on canvas by Scott North; PA

Chihuahua in Teacup; black pen by Brad Hart; CA

Capone's Laundry is Just the Ticket in the Band Practice Room

Imagine Al Capone washing and pressing your shirts.  Or, shining your shoes.  How about helping with your homework?

While the stories and scenarios in Gennifer Choldenko's books are fictional in nature, Al Capone himself was a very real, larger than life character and personality.  A man who wore banana yellow suits, silk underwear, sported diamond pinky rings and regaled his cronies with his Italian Mama’s homemade cooking…just as easily as he’d get you bumped off for crossing him in mob affairs.

On Sunday, May 21st –  same day as the annual Bay to Breakers race that took place in San Francisco – P.A.T.H. presented and the National Park Service hosted award winning, young adult author - Gennifer Choldenko  - who provided three separate powerpoint presentations and book signings in the Band Practice Room at Alcatraz.  Yes…in the same room where Al Capone played and practiced his 8 stringed mandola and ended up forming the Rock Islanders Band.  

After visitors filed in to take seats on the several long wooden benches set up in the Band Practice Room, Ms. Choldenko proceeded to captivate her audience with tidbits of the history of the prison during Capone’s incarceration.  And, if you had the opportunity to shake Ms. Choldenko’s hand, you would have shaken the hand that shook the hand, that shook the hand, that shook the hand (and so on and so forth - so many time degrees of separation) that SHOOK THE HAND …OF CAPONE!

Enjoy!

Leslie Lakes, Director

Mixed media painting of Al Capone is by Ely Legerdemain; UT

A "Lollypop" Sunday at Alcatraz

At the risk of stealing ex-convict/author, Bill Baker’s descriptive modifier, I set off for Alcatraz by bus from Marin County to San Francisco this most sublime “lollypop” * afternoon.

Having descended at the stop before last, I made a straight bee line for the Ferry Building, hung a sharp left and walked up Embarcadero, past sunglass-clad pedestrians sporting souvenir T-shirts and SF Giants caps; pushing strollers, walking dogs, riding rickshaws and dining al fresco at cafes along the way. Weather-wise, it was definitely what you’d describe as a 10+ day, the kind of day that makes you giddy from just being alive. 

Upon setting foot on the Alcatraz dock, I quickly encountered Ranger Steve (Stephen Cote)who took me on the most amazing private tour – to places on the island I had never before seen. Enthralled with lush gardens (a horticulturist’s paradise); diverse bird life (Geese and goslings; a snowy white egret nesting, a mass of black cormorants dotting the rocks at the water’s edge below) and varied views of the bay from every possible perspective of the island. 

When I arrived at The Band Practice Room, it was filled with a stream of visitors who took their time to look at and enjoy all the artwork lining the walls. Not to mention all the positive comments, names and places people were from, already filling up the Guest Sign In book.  And this just the first week out since the show opened on May 1st.  WOW!

*Page 23; ALCATRAZ 1259; William G. Baker

Leslie Lakes, Director

THE BIG INSTALLATION DAY!

With little sleep the night before and up again by 5am Wednesday morning (4/26), I packed up all the artwork and brought it outside awaiting Barry's arrival.

Barry and I load up the car.

After hitting crazy commuter traffic in San Francisco, we pull up to Pier 33 at 10am where Sabrina Bedford - Art in the Parks Coordinator(Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy) meets us and arranges for us to park, as well as provides two large rolling carts for the artwork and supplies.

After disembarking the ferry on the Alcatraz dock side, we approach a truck (driven by Ranger Sarah).

Barry in the back of the truck before I climb up with him to ride the long winding curving hill up to the prison entrance.

We simultaneously held our breath as we entered the Band Practice Room, because just a week before, there was still major construction taking place. Whew! All cleared out.  And, I was thrilled to see that the protective plastic coverings on all the windows were also removed to allow natural light to flow in.  Now, ready for us to get to work.

We contemplate the room; lay out all the art and figure out a plan of attack for the major installation job ahead. 

Before we left, Barry adjusts the lighting tracks above to focus on the artwork.  We both ran down the hill and within a hair's breadth, made the 5:55pm ferry back to the San Francisco side before the gates closed.

Blessings,
Leslie Lakes, Director

DOWN TO THE WIRE...OR, BETTER YET... "BALL CHAIN"!

Summary of key tasks performed for the upcoming show:

TUES, 2/28:  Fellow artist/photographer, Barry Toranto and I headed over to the Band Practice Room (BPR) at Alcatraz to scope out the current tracking system; take measurements of available wall space; note all functioning electrical outlets, etc.  At the time, the room was clear with the exception of a tall ladder and plastic covering the windows to protect dust entering the room from current exterior construction.

SAT,  3/11:  I headed over to MICHAELS Framing Department with all 43 pieces ofartwork that needed to be custom matted and framed.  Was at the counter working with their expert framers from 3:15pm-8:45pm

SUN 4/9:  Back at MICHAELS to pick up and load the car with all finished framed artwork.  Bumping into art in every room and corner imaginable at our home!   

WED 4/12:  Barry and I return to Alcatraz to drop offhand constructed wood easels for signage purposes, as well as test chains we purchased from Goodman's Hardware. Originally, we were figuring to use formal art tracking wires, but a month away from the installation, we were informed by Parks Service that as best that they looked in their storage area, they were unable to locate them.  So, Barry devises a different plan. His new moniker- "Brillant Barry"! 

WED 4/19:  I'm back at Pier 33 to catch the 10:30am ferry across to Alcatraz. The BPR is still cluttered with construction, but I was assured by a Parks Staff person that the room would be cleared prior to 4/26.  With only five more days before the scheduled installation , Barry and I have had to resort to ordering spools of ball chain and "A" hooks from a NY company to be shipped Priority for Monday morning delivery.   

This weekend, I'll be printing out all the art title cards and artists' Bios. 

That's showbiz, folks!  More to come..............

Leslie Lakes, Director

KEITH VISITS WASHINGTON, DC AND ADDRESSES SENATE

Shortly after spending time with me, my husband and two kitty girls in Mill Valley, CA, last month, Keith returned to the East Coast to get ready to resume his U.S. circuit tour and speeches with THE INNOCENCE PROJECT.  This time, Keith -  all duded up in a suit but never losing his southern twang -  addressed a panel of Washington, DC Senators and forensic scientists; to tell them his emotional story and vital need for changes in policies and more work on evidence and forensic science.

Many people in the hotel where Keith stayed cornered him to pay acknowledge him and pay respects.

Check out Frank Green's Richmond News article and pics that Keith sent me.

Blessings,

Leslie, Director

KEITH CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY IN MARIN

It's been a year since Keith Allen Harward walked out of prison on April 8, 2016.  With the expert help of The Innocence Project, Keith was exonerated and a free man at long last after wrongly serving more than 33 years for a rape and murder he did not commit.
 

I had been corresponding with Keith since the beginning of 2006 after having purchased a beautiful drawing he had created of a Goldfinch on clover via the Fifth Annual Inmate Art Auction (December 2005) hosted by The Fortune Society, NYC. 

While it's been a decade, 250+ letters and numerous drawings later, I had not had an opportunity to meet and spend time with Keith in person...until March 26th, when he flew into SFO airport.  
 

Keith stayed with me, my husband and our two kitty girls for a couple of days before he had to fly back home to North Carolina. And in those two days, we painted the town by attending the Vince Gill/Lyle Lovett performance at Marin Center; taking a long leisurely hike out at Blackie's Pasture in Tiburon; and enjoying coffee and snacks at an outdoor table at the Mill Valley Depot Cafe. 

Photos: Keith's goldfinch pastel drawing; Keith overlooking San Francisco from Twin Peaks; Keith sitting on bench at Blackie's pasture, Tiburon; Keith hugging statue of Blackie; Leslie and Keith at Mill Valley Depot Cafe