Category: Blog

Pati has been invited to participate in a two-week artists residency focused on prison issues at the Blue Mountain Center in New York State.  Fifteen artists were invited to share their work related to incarceration, the prison system, and inmates and their stories.  Pati will spend her time developing a facilitator’s handbook for Telling My Story as well as sharing and networking with other artists and activists.

“I am excited to give myself this time to focus on just my writings, and also to meet with people doing works that relate to my work,” Pati said.  “When I was learning about their work, I felt hopeful.” Hopefully, the retreat will also give her a chance to catch her breath and reflect on a very busy year of
programs!

I am just back from a very exciting and productive winter reproducing Telling My Story in Puerto Rico. I spent eight weeks at Guayama 945, a men’s correctional facility in the south of the island. During the project I worked with 16 inmates and 11 volunteers from the outside.

The show was called Tell Me Your Story, and it was full of bright energy, great humor, and even better natural actors. Once again I was impressed with the dedication and commitment the entire group of participants had to the program. Inmates that participated started from the very beginning, and they all made it to the end of the project.

What struck me the most was that at least 75% of the inmates working with me were serving life in prison. It was a sad reality that made me commit to working with them every January and February. I am excited about it and hopeful that we can establish an ongoing program.