Prison Reimagined
An exhibition-based, community advocacy initiative featuring artwork & writing by incarcerated artists critiquing the US Justice System.
Prison Reimagined: Presidential Portrait Project on view:
President Lincoln's Cottage (with Justice Arts Coalition), Washington, D.C.
January 5 - February 19, 2024Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, VA
January 18 - March 12, 2025
Wistariahurst Museum, Holyoke, MA
April 15-July 31, 2025Indy Art Center, Indianapolis, IN
August-October, 2025
To Those Who Have Been Impacted By Harm
A Message from the Committee of Incarcerated Artists and Writers:Many of the incarcerated people involved with this project have caused harm to others, and we acknowledge our actions and the harm we have caused.While advocating for an immediate shift towards decarceration in American prisons, we also firmly advocate for a pathway to healing for those who have suffered harm. This path should prioritize the well-being and empowerment of those affected, surpassing the limitations of the current systems’ established procedures.[We seek] to create responses to violence that do what criminal punishment systems fail to do: build support and more safety for the person harmed, figure out how the broader context was set up for this harm to happen, and how the context can be changed so this harm is less likely to happen again.Transformative justice…is not grounded in punitive justice, and it actually requires us to challenge our punitive impulses, while prioritizing healing, repair, and accountability.We would immediately focus on addressing the harms perpetrated, centering on the concerns and experiences of the person who was harmed. Next, we would focus on the person responsible for the harm – but without disregarding their humanity. This means we have to acknowledge the reality that often it is hurt people who hurt other people. Understanding that harm originates from situations dominated by stress, scarcity, and oppression, one way to prevent violence is to make sure that people have support to get the things they need. We must also create a culture that enables people to actually take accountability for violence and harm.- Mariame Kaba and Kelly Hayes, We Do This ‘Till We Free Us
The Prison Reimagined Story
My name is Caddell Kivett and I'm writing to you from inside Franklin Correctional, the prison where I live in Central North Carolina.In the work that I do, writing and organizing from prison, I have a few specific objectives: I work to amplify the voices of people behind bars and to build bridges between incarcerated and free communities. Sharing our stories can help the free public better understand the carceral experience. When we recognize the people behind bars, only then can we acknowledge and connect in our shared humanity.I work to help people understand the history of mass incarceration so we can find a better way to address crime, harm, and violence. Simply locking people away with impossibly-long prison sentences and little rehabilitation is not making us safer, stronger, or better as a nation. We could - and should - do better for victims who are harmed, for those who commit harm, and for the communities we live in.*In January 2021, I was sitting in my prison cell — we had just watched President Biden's inauguration — and, surrounded by artists at the prison where I lived, I had an improbable idea: Let's have incarcerated artists draw portraits of our presidents, then invite those subjects to see what we had drawn. This, I knew, if staged in proper context would make for powerful commentary on mass incarceration and criminal punishment in America. We would include written works by incarcerated writers and extend the invitation to people serving time all across the country.With just this idea, and unsure where to start, I thought about connections I had made while working for The Nash News, a quarterly publication conceived, designed and written entirely by incarcerated men at Nash Correctional Institution. In seven years, I had worked my way up from book reviewer to reporter, and then to assistant editor. In 2019 we published an article about Justice Arts Coalition and the outreach work they do with incarcerated artists. So I drafted a letter to Wendy Jason, founder of Justice Arts, and we began to exchange ideas about how to launch PRP3. They assigned an intern to work with me and we began to explore potential venues in the nation's capital, and we faced many hurdles and challenges, eventually losing momentum to a second wave of Covid-19.Still, I kept pushing forward.In the early months of 2022, Janie Ritter came onboard through the Justice Arts Coalition, and with renewed motivation we continued our search for a venue partner. One location on our radar was President Lincoln's Cottage — they had expressed a prior interest, and so a conference call was scheduled. After that successful conversation, and with the enthusiasm and support of the whole team at President Lincoln's Cottage, we secured a venue.*From the beginning, I looked to include as many incarcerated people in as many ways possible — and to have them fully centered in the project.Our process was as follows:
We distributed calls for submissions to prisons throughout the country, and at my camp I assembled a group of experienced artists and writers to jury and curate the project. This panel became the Committee of Incarcerated Artists and Writers. We received entries from 13 states, and once they arrived at the Justice Arts office, Janie made digital copies, then sent packets of the art and writing to each committee member at my prison. The committee met twice weekly and we discussed every submission at length. Committee members graded each work based on a set of parameters that ranged from: interpretation of the project theme and creativity, to overall quality and artistic application. Grades were averaged and tallied to determine what would make the show. We selected 23 visual and 23 written works, to represent 46 presidents.When the committee disagreed — as we often did — we held a discussion, took a vote, and inevitably came to what was best for the project. The entire selection and curating process, over the course of two months, was empowering, illuminating, transformative and restorative for the men involved.*I encourage everyone to reconsider any default assumptions they have about our criminal punishment system, how it functions, and the people who work and live within. And to think about ways you can get involved in these conversations.As Prison Reimagined moves forward at other venues and with new projects, we'll use what we've learned as a model for future endeavors. I didn't set out to create a first-of-its-kind exhibition. My goal was to feature the work of incarcerated artists in a prominent, public-facing museum, and to utilize the platform to educate people about mass incarceration. The goal is to affect the attitudes, and ultimately the policies that determine how we address crime in our country. Through the collaborative work of Justice Arts Coalition, President Lincoln's Cottage, Workhouse Arts Center, and the artists and writers from across the country, we have and will continue to make strides in this work.Let me leave you with this:
For incarcerated artists to not only show at a national historic site or museum, but to showcase our work in what was once the summer retreat and a place to think for one of our most consequential presidents; to feature a portrait of our first Black president, which was displayed in the room where President Lincoln drafted the Emancipation Proclamation, made by a Black artist who remains behind bars – these things all represent a deeper, full-circle form of inclusion with more weight and significance than I can easily express.But this work remains, unfinished.Thank you.
PRP3 at President Lincoln's Cottage (1/5-2/19 2024)
With support from the Art for Justice Fund
PRP3 at Workhouse Arts Center (1/18-3/12 2025)
Workhouse Campus and Galleries
W, Th, F, Sat: 11 AM – 6 PM
Sun: Noon – 5 PM
PRP3 at Wistariahurst Museum (4/8-7/1 2025)
With support from the City of Holyoke, Mass Cultural Council, and the Wistariahurst Foundation
Information about events and public programs coming soon!
Prison Reimagined Team
Caddell "Monty" Kivett (he/him)
Curator, Artistic Director
Monty is a former editor and writer for The Nash News. He studied Media at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. He is the curator and artistic director for Prison Reimagined, and has served 15 years of an 80-year-minimum sentence.
Janie Ritter (she/her)
Project Manager (volunteer)
Born and raised in Virginia, Janie’s work centers on making museum spaces accessible to all persons, regardless of background or artistic experience. In addition to her work with Prison Reimagined, she serves as the Registrar at Howard University Gallery of Art.
Haley Bryant (she/they)
Outreach Coordinator (volunteer)
Haley is a museum professional and doctoral candidate living and working in the D.C. area. Their research examines the prevalence and nature of contract work in the museum field, and she is currently the programs assistant at President Lincoln's Cottage.
Committee of Incarcerated Artists and Writers
The Committee of Incarcerated Artists and Writers (CIAW) is a panel of diverse men who have utilized their time behind bars to transform their lives. Through their talents—creating original art, playwriting for the stage, and writing fiction and non-fiction for publication—these men continue to break the stereotype of what it means to be an incarcerated human being. At the time of PRP3's inception, the men of the CIAW were all housed at Nash Correctional Institution (NCI), a North Carolina prison, but may live at different camps now.
MICHAEL SLEEMAN
is an artist who works in pastel, acrylic, wood, and metal. He is president of the Nash Art Club, teaches realism to Intermediate graphite students, and organizes meetings for Advanced students.*
KALAB LACKEY
is an artist and an Advanced member of the Nash Art Club. His work has been featured in the Mims and Gravely Art Galleries. He is a writer and photographer for The Nash News. Born and raised in Catawba County, Kalab has served 15 years of a 21-year minimum sentence.*
THELDON WILLIAMS
is an artist who works in pastel, charcoal, and graphite. As an Advanced member of the Nash Art Club, he serves as club librarian and teaches a Beginner’s Art Class. He has an associate’s degree from the International Christian College and Seminary.
BARRY MINTZ
is a self-taught artist and the art reporter for The Nash News. He is a graduate of the NCFMP who works as certified tutor and writing consultant for undergrad field ministers. His landscapes have won first-place honors at the NCI Art Show in 2019, 2022, and 2023, and have been exhibited at The Mims Gallery at NC Wesleyan. His work is referenced by Adams State University for their Art Appreciation course. Barry is serving a life sentence.*
KELVIN SMITH
is a graduate of the NCFMP. As a Graduate Assistant he serves as a peer-tutor and peer-tutor trainer. He is a writing consultant who works with undergraduate students. Kelvin has served 19 years of a life sentence.*
LARENCE PROFFITT
is a Writer and Commentator for The Nash News and has written his column “The Rub” for seven years. He has been incarcerated all of his adult life.
ALBERT RAMOS
is the author of the award winning children’s book, Gavin Discovers the Secret to Happiness. His work has appeared in the Dharma Dispatch, The Loop, and On the Wire. Albert believes justice impacted people who utilize healthy practices, such as Buddhism, positive psychology, and analytical meditation, can change their perspective and enjoy a more beneficial and positive narrative.*
JOSÉ DAVID VASQUEZ
graduated from the NCFMP, summa cum laude. His work has appeared in The Nash News. He is a writer who speaks four languages, and an editor who edits with absolute joy. José has served 9 years of a 25-year sentence.*
MARK MERCER
is a writer for The Nash News and a member of the Nash Art Club. He received a BA in Math Education from Elon University in 2009. Mark has served 14 years of a 27-year-minimum sentence.
PRESS RELEASE:
Prison Reimagined: Presidential Portrait Project, and the Committee of Incarcerated Artists
and Writers Wins 2024 AASLH Award of Excellence
NASHVILLE, TN—June 2025—The American Association for State and Local History
(AASLH) proudly announces that the Committee of Incarcerated Artists and Writers is the
recipient of an Award of Excellence for Prison Reimagined: Presidential Portrait Project. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in its 80th year, is the most prestigious recognition
for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history. "Prison Reimagined: Presidential Portrait Project" (PRP3) comprises 46 portraits and essays by incarcerated creators. Each portrait explores a different president’s record on incarceration, with added context, first-person reflections, and writings. PRP3 is the first of its kind, conceived of and curated entirely by a team of incarcerated individuals - the Committee of Incarcerated Artists and Writers (CIAW), with support from Justice Arts Coalition (JAC), President Lincoln’s Cottage (the Cottage), and the Art for Justice Fund. PRP3 was first on view at the Cottage January 5th-February 19th, 2024, at Workhouse Arts Center (WAC) January 18th-March 12th, 2025, at Wistariahust Museum from April 15th-June 30th, and the Indy Art Center from Early August-October, 2025.This year, AASLH confers 54 national awards honoring people, projects, exhibits, and publications. The winners represent the best in the field and provide leadership for the future of state and local history. The AASLH awards program was initiated in 1945 to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history throughout the United States. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards not only honor significant achievement in the field of state and local history, but also bring public recognition of the opportunities for small and large organizations, institutions, and programs to make contributions in this arena. For more information about the Leadership in History Awards, contact AASLH at 615-320-3203 or go to www.aaslh.org.**President Lincoln’s Cottage is a historic site and museum situated on a beautiful campus
in Northwest Washington, D.C. Opened to the public in 2008, the site brings President Lincoln’s
nation-changing story to life through innovative guided tours, engaging exhibits, and interactive programs. Learn more about our history, mission, and impact.The American Association for State and Local History is a not-for-profit professional organization of individuals and institutions working to preserve and promote history. From its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, AASLH provides leadership, service, and support for its members who preserve and interpret state and local history in order to make the past more meaningful to all people. AASLH publishes books, technical publications, a quarterly magazine, and maintains numerous affinity communities and committees serving a broad range of constituents across the historical community. The association also sponsors an annual meeting, regional and national training in-person workshops, and online training