VIRTUAL GALLERY

“Gateways to Galleries”

Art can transform lives. This exhibit at MFTA Gallery showcases artwork created by people in custody across several NYC Department of Correction facilities. Over the past year thanks to a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, artists who are incarcerated have been encouraged to create artwork through the help of online art instruction with MFTA Teaching Artist David M. in collaboration with the Department of Correction’s Fine and Performing Arts Unit.

DOC Director of Fine Arts, Lindsey Lybrand worked to provide participating individuals with pencils and paper to participate in the virtual art lessons on the DOC tablet program. She guided them in creating a body of artwork informed by the videos as well as individual artists’ interests and passions to fill the current exhibit. The artwork is also available to be viewed online along with many more pieces. This exhibit points to a future where the arts may be fostered and promoted across the corrections systems of our country as a gateway to new skills, new sense of self and a new life.

Visit MFTA Gallery
“Gateways to Galleries” will be on view in-person through Monday, March 14, 2022.
The MFTA Gallery is open Monday-Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Explore the Artwork

The expressive and creative artwork in this show, mainly drawings on small pieces of paper, but also paintings and sculpture, show how much can be created with the very minimum of available or authorized supplies. Referencing tattoo imagery, experiences of trauma, and abstract expressionism, these artworks are full of emotion and talent that often goes unseen to outside eyes.

  • "Omnipotent Lords," Otis J.
  • "Sunset Park," Shane W.
  • "Work Hard," Robert H.
  • "Crazy," Christian C.
  • "After Life Elements," Errol G.
  • "Shine Life," Robert H.
  • Alan V.
  • "The Barred Life - Series 2," Joseph M.
  • "Some Assembly Required," Lee Williams.
  • "Four Seasons," Alan V.
  • "Life," Robert H.
  • "My Daughter - Baby Picture, 7 Years Old," Shaquan J.
  • "Art God," Alan V.
  • "The House," Rick F.
  • "Safe Toon," William R.
  • "Face," Rick F.
  • "Freddy Fox," Bruno P.
  • "Spiderman," William R.
  • "Spear Fisher," David G.
  • "New York Mickey," William R.
  • "The Barred Life - Series 3 - Changalita," Joseph M.
  • "Season," Dwight W.
  • "Okkker Cardi B," Joshua H.
  • "Your Choice," Taquarious S.
  • "Between the Lines," Edward B.
  • "Movie Star Queen," Andre S.
  • "The Witching Hour," David G.
  • "Untitled," Andre S.
  • "Peaceably," Cyrus B.
  • "Undecided," Taquarious S.
  • "Untitled," Andre S.
  • "Worldwide," Cyrus B.
  • "Untitled," Andre S.
  • "Dela Omi Flu Rona," Cyrus B.
  • "Untitled," Andre S.
  • "Untitled," Harold Beard.
  • "Panther," Christian C.
  • "Joker," Gustavo W.
  • "Untitled," Andre S.
  • "Lady Reaper Death," Otis J.
  • "Katrina," Antonio M.
  • "Untitled," Andre S.
  • "The Sun in a Happy Accident," Gustavo W.
  • "Untitled," Andre S.
  • "Cuban Finest," Richard S.
  • "Untitled," Andre S.
  • "Come Fly With Me," Richard S.
  • "God," Antonio M.
  • "Unstoppable Denzel," Richard S.
  • "Horse," Antonio M.
  • "Alphabet," Christian C.
  • "Self-Portrait," Alex Scott.
  • "H8TE," Christian C.
  • "Streets Are Watching," Richard S.
  • "Polo Man," Christian C.
  • "Mask Up," Cyrus Byrd.
  • "Our Truths," Cyrus B.
  • "Freestyle," Earl T.
  • "Rest in Peace," Earl T.
  • "Native American," Earl T.
  • "Public Enemy," Gary C.
  • "In the Midst of the Storm," Giovanni R.
  • "Thanx Cable," Giuseppe S.
  • "History Repeats (Lie of our Nation) a Time to Remember," Gary C.
  • "Random Sketches," Gustavo W.
  • "Screwtape Proposes a Toast," Gustavo W.
  • "190 Degrees," Harold B.
  • "Dayroom," Harold B.
  • "Eye in the Sky," Harold B.
  • "The Dorm," Harold Beard.
  • "Sunrise Over the Bridge," Jeffrey H.
  • "The Bridges," Jeffrey Hutaf.
  • "The Builder," Jeffrey H.
  • "The Barred Life - Series 1 - KiloG," Joseph M.
  • "Candy Bars," Kenneth J.
  • "The City," Kenneth J.
  • "The Hand," Kenneth J.
  • "Can You See A Face," Lee W.
  • "Hien Mona Lisa," Otis J.
  • "I Have A Dream," Richard S.
  • "Streets Are Watching," Richard S.
  • "Untitled," Robert H.
  • "Betty Boop," William R.
  • "Batman I," William R.
  • "Batman II," William R.
  • "Take over," Taquarious S.
  • "Dog Pound," Richard S.

MFTA Gallery amplifies artists whose practice incorporates creative reuse. Learn more about reuse art and the MFTA Gallery.