Empowerment Avenue(EA) pioneers opportunities for artists currently incarcerated to design and create art for all facets of the art industry—we advocate for inclusivity and market rate fees. Our commission work emphasizes community-building underscoring our commitment to involving individuals inside prisons in the creative process. By empowering them to contribute their unique perspectives, we challenge societal barriers and amplify the value of their artistic contributions.
For both commission work and image licensing. EA serves as the intermediary. We connect with artists who align with project needs, support the production process, and facilitate payment to the artists. Join us in fostering collaboration and solidarity, strengthening the impact of your campaigns while promoting a more inclusive society.
Contact us at hello@empowermentave.org to collaborate.
PEN America and Mariame Kaba commissioned Empowerment Artists in two ways as part of the exhibition, Return to Sender: Prison as Censorship, curated by Mariame Kaba, at EFA Project Space in 2023.
PEN America asked seven EA artists to create portraits of a censored incarcerated writer. The portraits were included in a display about each writer. A few of the portraits were delivered to the prison mail room but never arrived. Instead, the artist’s statement and bio were displayed.
Mariame Kaba commissioned Corey Devon Arthur to create several paintings, one of which was used as the poster and promotional image for the exhibition.
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Empowerment Avenue(EA) in partnership with California Lawyers of the Arts asked artists currently incarcerated nationwide to create artwork specifically tied to their experiences, and those around them, with Involuntary Servitude.
The project’s goal was to expose the legacy of slavery and the ongoing slave tactics by prison institutions on Black & Brown communities in three California neighborhoods — Bayview, Antioch, and East Palo Alto. The events sparked conversations and action by increasing awareness and voter participation to end involuntary servitude—ACA8/PROP 6 on the November 2024 ballot.
In collaboration with Legal Services for Prisoners with Children (LSPC), All of Us or None, and Tré Borden /Co, the Empowerment Avenue(EA) team created transformative digital billboards aimed at addressing the issue of involuntary servitude and prison slavery in the California prison system.
The project’s goal was to amplify the voices and experiences of those impacted by these injustices through compelling digital materials.EA artists were asked to create images reflecting their perspectives and experiences with this issue. LSPC selected quotes from individuals incarcerated in prisons throughout California.
EA Assistant Director De’jon Joy, integrated the artwork and quotes, designing 4 digital billboards. The final billboards were projected onto the California State Capitol building in Sacramento as part of LSPC's digital media campaign building awareness for ACA8/Prop 6, February 12th - November 3rd 2024 .
Since 2023, Empowerment Avenue(EA) has facilitated several image usage agreements with The Center. EA artist’s work have been featured on the covers of two annual reports and a Collaborative report with Scrutinize. Additionally, the annual reports include artwork on inside spreads throughout.
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The media site Zócalo Public Square commissioned EA artist Alvin Smith to create an editorial image for the essay What Prison Don't Want Us to Read during banned book week, 2023.
In 2024, EA facilitated an image use agreement for Alvin Smith’s painting “Outside the Rusting Decay of Confinement” for an essay written by EA writer Phillip Vance Smith, ll What It’s Like to Experience the U.S. Election From Prison.
Creating timely images is a strength of several EA artists. Alvin Smith’s “Outside the Rusting Decay of Confinement” sparked the interest of many. PJP also used this image for their reporting on the 2024 election in Locked Out: Democracy Behind Bars.
