Hosted by UNC Asheville

Since 1998, UNC Asheville has offered college classes at four regional correctional facilities. Inmate students have studied meteorology, psychology, public speaking and art, among other classes. The federally funded program allows inmates to earn college credits and begin building a transcript.

To participate, inmates must be 25 years old or younger, within five years of release, have a high school diploma or GED, be able to read at a 10th grade level, and they must not have committed violent crimes like murder or rape.

Some 1,700 inmates have taken classes. Recently, art instructor Monika Teal taught “Art of Portraiture” at two facilities. “From the Pen and Pencil,” featuring 19 portraits by inmate students, will be on view from November 18 to December 1 at UNC Asheville’s Blowers Gallery, located on the main floor of Ramsey Library. An opening reception will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18, in the gallery. The exhibit will move to Ramsey Library’s third floor to be on view outside Special Collections from December 1-12.

The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. “Drawing materials were restricted to graphite and charcoal on paper. In spite of these limitations, the exhibit contains works that reflect the students’ imagination, intelligence, creativity, love, sadness and humor. And the works define their particular lives and circumstances,” said Elaine Fox, UNC Asheville director of Extension and Distance Education.

Blowers Gallery is open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.