Nine To Noon The art exhibition showcasing prisoners' shoes
Nov 16, 2025
Sharon Hall, Operations Director at The Learning Connexion, and Grant Barriball, a creativity teacher there, discuss an innovative art exhibition showcasing transformed prisoners' shoes. They emphasize the program’s role in prisoners' rehabilitation and personal growth over nearly two decades. Each uniquely decorated shoe tells a powerful story of expression and resilience, highlighting creative potential even with limited materials. The exhibition not only celebrates artistic talent but also fosters hope and visibility for over 50 artists from various prisons.
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Humble Beginnings And Wide Reach
- Sharon Hall started the prison art programme nearly 20 years ago with six women at Arohata Prison and adapted to distance delivery.
- It has since expanded to 17 of 18 prisons with students ranging from about 18 to over 80 years old.
Give Flexible Study Time
- Allow students flexible study time because prison schedules vary and many are in working prisons.
- Provide study materials they can take to their rooms to continue learning outside allocated hours.
Creativity Fosters Long-Term Personal Growth
- Long-term study (up to five years) lets teachers observe real personal growth in prisoners.
- Creativity training builds soft skills like time management, asking for help, and self-review.