Inmates hold art gala at Grafton Correctional Institution

GRAFTON — The community was eager to go behind bars Tuesday evening as inmates at the Grafton Correctional Institution presented an art gala within the walls of the facility. Outside guests were welcome at the event, which featured both visual and performance art, at the minimum and medium security prison. In one room at the institution, chairs were set up for guests to watch a group of the facility's residents perform with violins, violas and cellos in a string ensemble. Four of the men formed a group of their own, performing the folk classic "Old Joe Clark" with backing parts one of them composed himself. The evening also featured performance art, including readings from the "Poetic Companions" group. Andrew Snyder, an inmate at the institution, read his poem "Assessing the Situation." "Procrastination is the assassination of your destination," he began, touching on themes of success and self-improvement during the reading. Snyder said poetry is therapeutic to him, allowing him to process through situations and emotions. "Assessing the Situation" was inspired by his thoughts of positive life changes he can make while incarcerated. In the gala's visual arts room, inmate Henry Ivezzy, 30, presented his airbrush art. Ivezzy said his inspiration comes from pop culture. His favorite piece shows Star Wars characters in front of a background of the night sky. Some of the other men's pieces depicted scenes from nature and human portraits in a variety of media. The gala showcased the institution's partnership with Oberlin College, Kent State University, Baldwin Wallace University and the retirement community Kendal at Oberlin. The colleges created programs that helped prepare the men for their performances and eventual reentry into society. Oberlin orchestrates the musical group. Rebecca Shasberger, visiting instructor of string studies, taught the inmates how to play their instruments. Only a few of them had played strings before the group formed last September. Baldwin Wallace runs the drama program and Kent State does poetry. They also send professors to the institution around once a month to deliver lectures on various topics. Kendal at Oberlin helped by donating money when supplies were needed for the gala. "You see that this is a celebration of partnership," said warden LaShann Eppinger. He emphasized that the gala is "all about community," pointing to the attendees gathered in the facility, most who would have no connection to the institution if not for the partnerships. Contact Dylan Reynolds at (440) 329-7123 or dreynolds@chroniclet.com.