More from WCCW

I didn’t know what to expect when I drove up to the entrance of the Washington  Correction Center for Women on Tuesday. The courtyard and classroom were much more friendly looking than I expected with flowers and plants the women cultivate; but they didn’t compare with the friendly reception we had from the 30 or so women who participated in the workshop. Gabi introduced some beginning exercises – contour drawing and drawing with the non-dominant hand. The women laughed, made fun of themselves and encouraged each other. We got to connect, encourage, laugh and be impressed with their drawings and their receptivity. They were really responsive and seemed very happy and grateful that we came many thanking us warmly with hugs and smiles. I definitely went away feeling uplifted and grateful…there but for fortune…
Many thanks to Jackie for setting it all up. 

 Gabi and Frank in the waiting room

The IF Project

Thanks to Jackie Helfgott for making our visit to the Washington Corrections Center for Women possible. We didn’t know what to expect as we checked in to the WCCW and walked through the series of secured gates and doors. Upon meeting the group of more than 40 women, Gabi Campanario first asked what their expectations were. Some had drawing experience; many did not. “I can’t draw” was a common refrain, to which Gabi replied: As long as you can hold a pen or pencil and make a mark on paper, you can draw. So one goal of the workshop was to instill confidence and make drawing an enjoyable and reflective activity. The warm-up exercises that Gabi had given the women led to more varied choices of media and subject matter. While some women continued drawing from observation, others veered off to drawing from the imagination. It didn’t matter since drawing is essentially a form of visual expression, no matter what media we use or to what end we draw. The women were engaged, friendly and perceptive, and many shared their aspirations with us. I hope it was as gratifying for the women who attended the workshop as it was for us to be there for a few hours. On the drive back to Seattle, it was difficult to process my thoughts but what struck me the most was that we could return home afterwards and the women could not.

WCCW "IF" Project Seattle Urban Sketch Workshop

   

Urban Sketch Workshop at WCCW IF Project

The Seattle Urban Sketch Workshop at the Washington Correctional Center for Women "IF" Project Monthly Session was a success. Thanks to Seattle Police Detective Kim Bogucki who runs the "IF" Project for inviting us! I didn't have much time to sketch myself but gave it a go while simultaneously taking photos and talking to the women so just a couple of very quick sketches. The room was bustling with all kinds of energy. A young women named Samantha who was sitting alone intently sketching the computer and clock at the front of the room caught my eye. The other group I set out to sketch was a fun bunch - Treminka, Arlene, and Flo. They got a huge kick when Frank and Gabi drew them and Flo, who said she had never sketched before, did some incredible sketches of her friends. Her friends called her an "imposter" and she left saying she had found a new calling. Nice work ladies!