The transformative stories of 'Future IDs at Alcatraz'

When you visit Alcatraz’s concrete cellhouse, it’s impossible to escape the bleakness of incarceration and the lasting effects of life behind bars. Presented in partnership with the Art in the Parks program of the National Park Service, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, and Headlands Center for the Arts, the Future IDs at Alcatraz art exhibition invites reflection on criminal justice reform efforts as well as prompts visitors to shift thinking about rehabilitation, reentry, and reintegration.

Organized by artist Gregory Sale and a team of collaborators (Dr. Luis Garcia, Kirn Kim, Sabrina Reid, Jessica Tully, and many others), the year-long exhibit in the New Industries Building on the island features ID-inspired artworks representing individual stories of transformation. The installation is open daily, with public programs on the third Saturday of each month, until October 2019.

You can experience the first-hand powerful stories at the Future IDs at Alcatraz Release Party on Saturday, July 20 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. It will be a full day of programs and community activities, you can attend all or a portion of the events. Check ticket availability through Alcatraz Cruises at AlcatrazCruises.com.

We collected a smattering of stories and personal reflections from Instagram since the exhibit opened. And while you’re experiencing Future IDs, share your thoughts or personal stories about the lasting effects of incarceration and tag us on Instagram in your post (@parks4all) and use the hashtags #parks4all and #FutureIDs.

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This week I had the opportunity to perform my Jumpsuit Project on Alcatraz Island. Thank you Gregory Sale for the invitation to be a part of the Future IDs exhibition. It was the first time I presented this project at a prison. In the exhibition space, I was surrounded by artists’ work who are representing themselves as anew, declaring to the world that their future is brighter than their past. It felt right that my body should represent a transitional period and not one of confinement. Future IDs at Alcatraz is a yearlong project, exhibition, and series of monthly public programs on view in the New Industries Building on Alcatraz Island until October 2019. The installation features ID-inspired artworks created by and with individuals who have conviction histories as they conceive and develop a vision for a future self. In stark contrast to prison-issued IDs, these artworks represent individual stories of transformation. Artist Gregory Sale leads a team of collaborators that translates criminal justice reform efforts into a visual language to shift thinking about rehabilitation, reentry, and reintegration. Dr. Luis Garcia, Kirn Kim, Sabrina Reid, Jessica Tully, Gregory Sale, and many others have designed the project and exhibition space to function as a platform for engagement through performances, workshops, and civic dialog experiments that are co-curated with community partners. Baldemar Arroyo . . #jumpsuitproject #futureidsatalcatraz #jumpsuitgoingplaces #sociallyengagedart #performanceart #sanfransisco

A post shared by Sherrill Roland (@the.jumpsuit.project) on Jun 5, 2019 at 2:22pm PDT

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People engaging the power of art and community to solve some of our most insisdious problems gives me hope for the world my children will inherit. #FutureIDs #SistersAtTheCenter #2bfree

A post shared by Anastasia @ Good Foot Project (@goodfootpix) on May 18, 2019 at 11:50am PDT

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Jennifer Leahy and Barbara Owen at the Future IDs exhibit at Alcatraz. The exhibit runs through October. Contact us for more details. #futureIDs #Alcatraz #projectrebound

A post shared by Fresno State Project Rebound (@fresnostateproject) on May 6, 2019 at 11:36pm PDT

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Insight Garden Program was so honored to attend the opening of the Future IDs exhibit on Alcatraz Island last weekend. The artwork is by people who were or are incarcerated, imagining their futures. It was inspirational, to say the least. It was a heartfelt day, honoring people who have lived into their vision or hope. Featuring two of our wonderful co-facilitators, Jennifer Leahy and Arnold Trevino. They both go back into prison to facilitate IGP classes at Avenal, inspiring all of us and especially those we serve. We are so grateful to have them on our team! Please support this important work - the exhibit will continue through October 2019

A post shared by Insight Garden Program (@insightgarden) on Feb 21, 2019 at 2:25pm PST

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Last Saturday, February 16th, took a ferry across to Alcatraz Island to attend a special event/exhibit of inmate artwork titled “Future IDs at Alcatraz”, curated and installed in the New Industrial building by University of Arizona art professor, Gregory Sale. If you have a chance to make a trip to Alcatraz, make sure to include this exhibit in your island tour. . . . . #futureidsatalcatraz #inmateart #inmateartwork #artinstallation #publicart #restorativejustice #sanquentin #sanquentinprison #prisonartprograms #prisonartproject #williamjamesassociation #prisonartstouchinghearts #incarceratedartists #alcatrazisland #alcatraz #alcatrazexhibit #lookingforward

A post shared by Leslie Lakes (@leslielakesmassagetherapist) on Feb 19, 2019 at 8:57am PST

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Future IDs at Alcatraz is a multi-year, social art project about individual stories of transformation and how those stories collectively can help reframe the narrative of re-entry. It comprises art/future planning workshops, exhibitions and public programs across California, building towards an arts-based public service campaign. The central idea is for returning citizens to create new identification cards for future selves — perhaps for a dream job, a role in society, or a continuing role with family, such as father or mother #FutureIDs #Alcatraz

A post shared by Gregory Sale (@gregory_sale) on Feb 18, 2019 at 10:08am PST

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I flew to San Francisco to witness the #futureidsatalcatraz project on Alcatraz Island. It was one of the first art projects I’ve seen addressing incarceration and human rights that truly felt cited in and by people who have been incarcerated. I ran into Candice Price (somebody tag Candice for me) a fresh and bold survivor of the prison system. Sister is sweet, sensitive, and always striving. She was rightfully proud repoing her ID piece on the rock. #endmassincarceration #chantdownbabylon #candiceprice #justice #love #talkitwalkit

A post shared by Ise M. Lyfe (@iselyfe) on Feb 17, 2019 at 10:10pm PST