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art exhibit:
inmate's art
 group mandala created by inmates at Dallas County Jail The Global Art Project matches participants across the United States and seventy other nations and each pair (group or individual) exchanges a piece of art expressing their vision of global unity. This is the artwork created by women at Dallas County Jail for the Global Art Exchange.  Good Girl, Bad Girl Dolls What does a "good" girl look like? What about a "bad" girl? Funny how a picture comes to mind for each. So the ladies are given two muslin dolls and challenged to make a "good" girl and a "bad" girl. They dive excitedly into fabric pieces, ribbon, yarn, buttons, feathers, and other odds and ends, obviously delighted by the colors and textures. They share glue, paint and the few pair of safety scissors that we have been given special permission to use. The room comes alive with laughter and stories. We wonder aloud, where did these images come from? In what ways are they a stereotype? . . . or truthful?. . . hurtful? . . . funny? . . . or sad? Which doll is more fun to make? Is any woman ever completely one or the other? The discussion is usually quite invigorating.  Jennifer, our volunteer co-ordinator, points to her favorite “good girl” doll in a display at a Resolana salon. Here are a few of the wonderful and creative dolls in our collection, including some with a seasonal (naughty or nice?) influence.       
Two of the Christmas cards the inmates made for our Resolana volunteers. 
Group poem done in our Dallas County Jail Grace and Grit class. Inspired by Allison Moorer's lyrics in A Soft Place to Fall. I'm looking for a soft place to fall soft as a baby's skin smooth as a silken blanket, weightless and gentle like a feather in the wind. a place as safe as a mother's womb or a cat sleeping in the sun, where I'm cupped in God's hand. a place as comforting as a mother's smile to her newborn babe, as comforting as freedom after straining to break free. a place of love like a Christmas morning, or a lioness with her only cub. welcoming as sunshine or a five year old's hug. a place that is strong within me like a redwood forest or crashing waves, as powerful as a lightning strike. trustworthy and true as the season's turn or the grip of my grandfather's hand. a place to rest content, swinging in a hammock watching the ocean tucked into flannel warmed by the fire sure of tomorrow . . . like falling into heaven. Pinwheels created for the UN International Day of Peace (September 21) as part of the international Pinwheels for Peace project.   
Weaving created cumulatively by HOPE women who completed My Story, My Self classes at Dawson. The weaving symbolizes the creative potential of our choices interwoven amongst the givens in our lives.  Group Weaving at Dawson State Jail.  Group Weaving at Dallas County Jail.  More photos of art created by participants in Resolana classes and workshops can be found at http://flickr.com/photos/resolana.
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