Creativity Unconfined

Dave Gussak
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

In a world where true crime is romanticised, we become desensitized to the humanity that is often constrained inside carceral systems. You are invited to witness as Dr. Dave Gussak and a variety of weekly guests dive deep into how the arts benefit those on both sides of the bars. Creativity Unconfined relies on the voices of change-makers, program developers, art facilitators, art therapists, correctional staff, and the formerly incarcerated to explore the hidden depths of how the arts can dismantle the barriers that confine, and rehumanizes those dehumanized.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 10. “We don’t have a patent on crayons…”

    Esteemed art therapist and neuroscientist Dr. Juliet King clarifies for all of us the impact of incarceration on the brain, and how art can be harnessed to combat the psychological implications of confinement. Free Music by 'Ketsa.uk' in video  (https://ketsa.uk/)

    46 min

  2. Jun 8

    Episode 9. “A Ritual for Return: Shedding the Mask of Shame”

    Antonio Espinosa, founder and executive director of Art from the Inside, highlights the opportunities for incarcerated artists to have a visual voice through engaging, community-centered exhibitions of their art. Antonio speaks to Dave about his 20 years as a senior corrections officer at Stillwater state prison in Minnesota and how the death of his colleague inspired this project to bring hope and healing inside the walls.

    44 min

  3. Jun 1

    Episode 7. “How community arts ‘saved my life’ — the power of mutual aid”

    Dave gets to sit down with Mandy Gardner and Grady Hillman, the power couple of arts in corrections. This pair has made an incredible impact on the field, together sharing 50 plus years of experience. They share their individual histories, how they met, and their unified drive to bring the value of arts inside. Free Music by 'Ketsa.uk' in video  (https://ketsa.uk/)

    43 min

  4. Jun 1

    Episode 6. “..and that’s how you reverse the school to prison pipeline…”

    What does 30 years in prison do to a man? Scholar and advocate Eddie Fordham shares with Dave his eye-opening experiences in navigating the complicated intricacies of prison life, how art and education helped him to survive, and the ways he has used those experiences to champion social change for those who are justice-impacted. Free Music by 'Ketsa.uk' in video  (https://ketsa.uk/)

    46 min

  5. Jun 1

    Episode 8. “Artists and Criminals…The Surprising Overlap”

    The most notorious high security federal prison in the United States could have sent this artist facilitator running in the other direction, but Matte Refic dove right in. Dave speaks with Matte to passionately unearth his stories of working in supermax as a volunteer with talented incarcerated artists. Free Music by 'Ketsa.uk' in video  (https://ketsa.uk/)

    47 min

  6. Jun 1

    Episode 5. “Two million people behind bars — a lost creative city…”

    Social entrepreneur and cultural changemaker John Whitman underscores the importance of bringing arts inside, not just to transform those who are imprisoned, but society as a whole. Free Music by 'Ketsa.uk' in video  (https://ketsa.uk/)

    38 min

  7. Jun 1

    Episode 4: “...he said, ‘Mom, I have this expressive part of me that wants to come out…’”

    Mike and Julie McBride experienced the unthinkable–the imprisonment of their son for life after a murder he committed at a young age. They recount their challenges and struggles, ultimately exploring how they used their experiences to become leading advocates for transformation and reform rather than defeat, underscoring how art has served as a vehicle for change. Free Music by 'Ketsa.uk' in video  (https://ketsa.uk/)

    33 min

  8. Jun 1

    Episode 3: “I never thought it was a privilege to feel human…”

    None of us suspect that to feel human is a privilege we take for granted. Professor Annie Buckley recounts her experiences in developing one of the most instrumental prison arts programs in the United States, and how she learned that the simple practice of offering the arts inside can be so rehumanizing. Check out her book, Change makers' Guide to Prison Arts Programming. Free Music by 'Ketsa.uk' in video  (https://ketsa.uk/)

    47 min
  9. Episode 2: “We negotiated with violence, and bartered with art…”

    Jun 1

    Episode 2: “We negotiated with violence, and bartered with art…”

    How do you move forward as a man, as an artist, as a human while holding heavy guilt for a terrible tragedy? Accomplished multi-media artist and activist Christopher Fausto Cabrera spent 21 years inside the system, exploring in this episode the roles of accountability, social relationships and art-making while inside and out. More information, artwork, and ongoing projects can be found at cfausto.art. Free Music by 'Ketsa.uk' in video  (https://ketsa.uk/)

    46 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

In a world where true crime is romanticised, we become desensitized to the humanity that is often constrained inside carceral systems. You are invited to witness as Dr. Dave Gussak and a variety of weekly guests dive deep into how the arts benefit those on both sides of the bars. Creativity Unconfined relies on the voices of change-makers, program developers, art facilitators, art therapists, correctional staff, and the formerly incarcerated to explore the hidden depths of how the arts can dismantle the barriers that confine, and rehumanizes those dehumanized.

Information

  • Creator
    Dave Gussak
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dave Gussak
  • Show Website
    Creativity Unconfined