Arts & Crafts

March 8, 2011 Today I applied to be a clerk in the Eagle Point Unit's Arts & Crafts room. Due to Arizona's budget crisis, there has been a severe lack of programs being offered to Eagle Point orangemen. Although all areas of rehabilitative programs have been affected, arts & crafts, band room, and the library were three areas I've noticed have been in dire need. Eagle Point's Deputy Warden and Counselor (CO III Killman) have gone above and beyond in their attempts at helping orangemen here continue to have these programs. DW Lawrence has authorized inmates, their family & friends and even ADOC staff to donate arts & crafts, band equipment and reading materials to the unit. CO III Killman has organized, managed and even helped with donations for the unit's art program. Although run entirely on the donations made, these three programs break up the monotony and stagnant time we orangemen have on the unit. The Band and Arts & Crafts programs here have been a huge benefit to the population. As I'm sure I've discussed over the years, idle time for addicts and those with behavioral problems is not good. These programs are important to many and vital to others. Currently there are two other Arts & Crafts room clerks. Both very talented artists, who cherish the art room and the opportunity to teach others. Both good guys. It was them who asked me if I'd be interested in joining them. After briefly speaking to DW Lawrence about the job, she suggested that I speak with CO III Killman about it, which I did minutes later. Now, my program application is filed. I'm waiting for it to be processed and approved. A simple process that should be done before the end of the week, although I'll begin tomorrow. My duties will include a variety of things including making certain the Arts & Crafts room and its restroom is are kept neat, clean and organized, which I'll share with my two co-workers. Additionally, I'll be spending my days helping other guys learn to tap into their artistic talents as well as learning and honing my own skills. I've been enjoying drawing with ink and graphite, oil pastel crayons, chalks, colors and various other mediums. Since Einstein and Woody introduced and encouraged me to try other things months ago I've been water color painting and doing mixed media. Now I'll have ample time and be able to focus more on these things and explore other options. If things work out, I'm hoping to be able to donate some quality art supplies to Eagle Point's artroom for me and other inmates to use, and will encourage others to make donations. Right now, the only catalogue I have to order from is "Cheap Joe's". I'll do my best to give us a little cozy place to do arts & crafts with what I can scrounge up. I've even been tossing around some ideas with CO III Killman for a charity fundraiser using our arts and crafts. Like me, Ms. Killman is partial to charities like Domestic Violence Shelters or children's charities. So much good can be done with this. If you have any ideas, donations or know of any charities...contact me.