Podcast Episode Details

Alma & Frank: Designing Creative Futures One Story at a Time

Episode 143

What if art could open the door to a new life after prison? What if creative work wasn't just healing,

but a literal job offer?

In a time when reentry programs are scarce and trust is hard to rebuild, this episode, the second of our two part series on the work of California Lawyers for the Arts, introduces Designing Creative Futures, a groundbreaking initiative that uses the power of the arts to help formerly incarcerated individuals reclaim their future. With stories from inside and outside the system, we explore how mentorship, hands on creativity and belief in potential can lead to lasting change.

In it, we'll hear how a coalition led by California Lawyers for the arts helped over 200 individuals find not just reentry internships, but purpose.

We'll learn how mentorship and woodworking in prison and Designing Creative Futures on the outside helped one man, Frank Quiros, discover his calling and build a new life.

And we'll discover how storytelling, craft and persistence are reshaping re entry with dignity, creativity and impact

Notable Mentions

People

• Bill Cleveland – Host of Art Is Change, community arts practitioner, and long-time leader in arts and social change .
• Alma Robinson – Longtime Executive Director of California Lawyers for the Arts; spearheaded the Designing Creative Futures reentry initiative .
• Frank Quiroz – Formerly incarcerated artist who rebuilt his life through woodworking, pottery, and arts internships via Designing Creative Futures .
• Governor Gavin Newsom – California governor who announced early releases during COVID to mitigate prison overcrowding .
• Ms. Larkey – Daughter of musician Carole King, connected with the People’s Pottery Project .
• Carole King – Iconic singer-songwriter; her daughter was involved in supporting the People’s Pottery Project .
• Jack Reedy – Woodworking mentor and teacher at Taft Correctional Facility who profoundly influenced Frank’s artistic and personal growth .
• Sergeant Rodriguez – Prison staff member who supported incarcerated woodworkers in shipping their creations home .
• Frank Hernández (Gro) – Artist associated with Self Help Graphics, part of its influential legacy .
• Patssi Valdez – Chicana artist and founding member of the Asco collective, connected to Self Help Graphics .
• Marvea – Director at Self Help Graphics who helped connect Frank to work at LACMA .

Events

• COVID-19 Early Releases in California (2020) – Governor Newsom’s plan to release up to 8,000 incarcerated individuals due to overcrowding and health risks .
• NEA Our Town Grant (2020) – $100,000 awarded to California Lawyers for the Arts to pilot Designing Creative Futures .
• California State Contract (2022) – $3 million contract expanding Designing Creative Futures placements to Los Angeles and the Bay Area .
• Geffen Galleries Opening at LACMA (2025) – $898 million expansion project at LACMA, featuring

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  Published on 11 hours ago