THE PROJECT 

 The Compassion Project joins together portraiture and narrative with the goal of facilitating social change. The project aims to upend the preconceptions our society has about incarcerated women. Who are they? How did they become incarcerated? Who and what have they left behind? What is possible for them now?

The systemic inequities and costs of mass incarceration have garnered increasing attention. To date, scant attention has been paid to the fastest growing segment of the prison population: women. The pathways to prison and the issues facing women are different than those facing men and the impact of incarceration is often very profound on the children they are forced to leave behind.

The Compassion Project has created an art exhibit called The Art Of Compassion.

The exhibit debuted and had a four month run at the Coral Gables Museum from June, 2019-September, 2019.  The exhibit is comprised of 25 large scale portraits and written narratives, voice recordings, an art film and an interactive app. The works are made by 19 photographers, local and nationally renowned including Maggie Steber and Donato Di Camilo. The portraits, masterfully made are strong and bold and poignantly highlight the strength and struggle of the subjects.  

Of the 20 photographers, 80 percent are women. The assets of the exhibit include a robust app with educational guides and actions for change.  Additionally, there is a powerful five minute black and white art film with soundtrack professionally shot with the RED Monochrome in 8k.  Lastly, transmitter beacons imbedded in seven of the portraits allow visitors to hear the women speak in their own words in 3-5 minute personal statements and listened to on cell phones through the app.

For more information or to reach the Project Manager, Starr Sariego, please call Starr at 786-351-2173 or through email at starrsariego@gmail.com or by using the form below.  Special thanks to Tamara Feola for the logo and Steven Burton for the cover photo.

The Art Of Compassion is available for exhibition in other cities.  Email Starr for more information.