The Social Justice Collaboration Quilts Project creates a powerful bridge of communication and understanding between those "inside" prison walls and the "outside" world. Through the traditional medium of quilting, we give voice to the political consciousness, creative talent, and humanity of incarcerated artists. 

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The roots of this project reach back to 1997 at the Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola Prison), where inmate hospice volunteers began quilting to raise funds for dying prisoners. They stitched so that no man would have to die alone. In 2012, after 8 years of service within that program, artist Kenya Baleech Alkebu partnered with his long-time friend and pen pal, Maureen Kelleher—a private investigator and quilter—to found this independent project. Today, we stand as a distinct group dedicated to supporting artists behind prison walls and fostering a deeper understanding between worlds.

 

Our Collaboration Model: Inside & Outside

 

Our work is a "pot" of creativity stirred by two distinct groups working in harmony:

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• The Inside Quilters: Men serving time who use their needles to express their humanity, history, and perspectives.

• The Outside Quilters: Free persons who collaborate with incarcerated artists to finish, exhibit, and amplify these powerful works of art.

 

Together, we create quilts that serve as vehicles for self-expression—addressing politics, current events, and historical milestones, while some simply exist as moving testaments to beauty and craft.

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The Social Justice Collaboration Quilts Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Thank you to our Fiscal Sponsor, THE FIELD.