Beyond Blue Coloring Book

Created during Project PAINT’s Coloring Book Design course at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in Fall 2019, this book features artwork by 23 artists from the prison's E Yard, many of whom contributed multiple pieces. Together, their work reflects on creativity, connection, restoration, and the freedom found through artistic expression.

“Artistic expression is important to us as artists. It helps us maintain our connection to our free spirits—to create, to experience freedom, to express ourselves, and to find comfort in our art. For some of us, creating is a way of working through our ‘issues’; for others, it is a way of keeping our cultural traditions alive.

Through our art, we give life to our stories, visions, and dreams. We express the changes we experience while incarcerated and share what we see, feel, and imagine.

We wanted to be part of this coloring book project because we share a common goal: restoration—to restore and reconcile ourselves with the outside world. Art is an important part of that process. It gives us a medium through which we can express ourselves and create beauty. When we continually engage with beauty, it creates a reflection—an echo—that carries into the life of the artist.

We want the world to know that beautiful things can come from prison.

We want you to slow down. To become more aware of life and the world around you. To notice and experience the simple things we all miss while incarcerated.”

— The Coloring Book Design Class Participants, 2019