“By giving the incarcerated artists a platform, we encourage redemption narratives and a public belief in second chances.”
C.B., AFTI artist
How we started
Antonio served as a correctional officer at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater for 19.5 years. He started this project as a way to foster transformation, healing, and forgiveness after his friend and fellow correctional officer, Joseph Gomm, was killed by an inmate. After this tragic death in the facility, everything and everyone changed within the walls of MCF-Stillwater. Something needed to happen to bring this entire community together to rebuild.
Antonio started by working with the administration and the broader community outside the facility to bring in educational, cultural events. These proved to be successful for both officers and the incarcerated. What else could be done? Soon after, he started looking at other ways to help bring the community together and Art from the Inside (AFTI) was born.
The hope for this project is to connect us to our shared humanity, examine the effects of the criminal justice system, and to inspire actions that support racial and economic justice.
Our vision is to empower incarcerated artists to experience personal transformation and restoration. We believe art provides the space to imagine new ways of being and to recognize our personal and collective power to change.
In the news
“My hope for this transformation is that people can see my true self as an artist, a person, and a father. To not limit me to my actions as a child not a man.”
Cyrus T., AFTI artist
The team
Antonio Espinosa
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Antonio is the founder, creator and brains behind Art From the Inside. He is a correctional officer with over 19.5 years of experience at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Stillwater, Minnesota. He has served on system-wide and institutional committees focused on supporting offenders as they transition back into the community. He launched and co-facilitates a men’s support group for offenders called Stand Up. Antonio coordinates cultural events for the offenders and is a role model to his peers. He is committed to ensuring a safe and positive environment focused on uplifting and healing for offenders.
“I’m just one person trying to make a change in our system. I want to help transform these men and help the [DOC] community heal after the killing of my friend and fellow correctional officer, Joseph Gomm. Art just happened to be the vehicle that brought us together to have these difficult conversations.”
Jessica Espinosa
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Jessica is committed to supporting education systems to advance equity and social and economic justice for students across all of our communities. She has 20 years of experience in education and strives to live in a more just world.
Strengths: Ideation, Connectedness, Learner, Arranger, Empathy
Ann
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Ann previously served as the Education Director at the Minnesota Department of Corrections-Stillwater. She oversaw art programming at the facility and enjoys connecting the incarcerated men to creative outlets, including art, and education as a means to help transform their lives. She is delighted to collaborate with Officer Antonio Espinosa on the Art From The Inside project.
Yingfah
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Yingfah loves the internet, telling stories, and minimalism (before it was trendy). She approaches every project with an open heart and an enthusiastic spirit. She admires people with integrity, good character, and a desire to do good in the world. Her background is in User Research and User Experience Design along with a steep history working in education.
“I bring a human-centered approach to everything I do and consider every problem I encounter—big or small—a design challenge. The Art From the Inside MN project is a rewarding experience and challenges me to rethink how I feel about our broken correctional system.”
#BeGood #DoGood
Adobe Creative Type: The Visionary
Barbara
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Barb is an executive producer for BW Productions, Producer, Director, and Writer for 22 years with 14 years with PBS. She holds six Emmys and three National Educational media awards along with multiple international awards for documentary work. She was an Adjunct professor of film at MCAD. Barb has extensive mentoring experience with girls and media through her work with Walker Art Center, Minnesota History Center, Perpich High School for Arts education, Arizona Bridge Project, Rainbow Families, GirlsBEST advisory panel, TIES (internet 2 educational network). She was also a guest artist/professor at Stephens College, AAUW, and White House Project. In 1997, Barb founded TVbyGIRLS and since that time has been mentoring and giving girls real, hands-on experiences in the film and media industry.
“I remember how hard it was to grow up female. And I remember the great passion I felt to make an impact in the world. I see that same spark in girls today. By partnering with girls, I know we can create the world we want to live in …a world of spirited intelligence, courage and compassion. I know we can share that vision through the media, using images and stories to reinforce our strength. TVbyGIRLS is all about giving life to the future.”
Joy
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Joy, a third-generation Japanese-American born and reared in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is CEO of The Design Company, a graphic design firm in St. Paul. She has a BS from the University of Minnesota in medical technology, four years in the architecture program, and two years in the (then called) VISTA program.
A trained docent at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, she is known for engaging her audiences in lively discussion as they explore the world through art - the creative expression of what it means to be human. Her goal is to help her audiences connect with the arts of a culture and a time, and to make connections, not only globally but also with one’s community and oneself.
Sara
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Sara is a senior American Studies major at Macalester College who loves learning about the world around her and growing in new positions and experiences. She is interning with AFTI working on things like research projects and social media strategy. She is so excited to be part of this team working on such an amazing project.
Kimani
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Kimani is a self-taught graphic and clothing designer, photographer, and entrepreneur. He has over 20 years of experience as an independent freelancer designing for local, national, and international companies.
Realizing his role in community organizing and the role of hip hop in his life, he envisions a platform where artists and athletes can create self-sustainability while giving back to the community. He has discovered that a creative and relational approach powerfully resonates with diverse age groups and cultures.
Today, creating opportunities for others to “just be” through branding and logo concepts, web development and apparel designs to advance historically marginalized communities as a way to create self-sustainability for others—is his thing!
Bobby
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Bobby grew up in Saint Paul and White Bear Lake, MN. He began creating at the age of eight, and continued pursuing his love of art all throughout his school years, including at the University of Minnesota, where he received his Master’s degree in Fine Arts. While attending college, Bobby also became a Master Journeyman in Graphic Arts, and continues to work in the field.
Bobby has a long, storied past with Saint Paul, and created much of his art in previous years by squatting with a group of fellow artists in the Rossmor building and an underground level beneath the Union Depot. He spent many years in New York, where he worked at the Pratt Institute as well as the Heidelberg company as a technician. In 2013, Bobby returned to his artistic roots in Saint Paul and is the curator for the Gallery at Creators space. Find Bobby’s work at Haighworks.
Daija
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Daija Williams is a Social Media Specialist. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with a Marketing minor from the University of Minnesota. She is also a brand ambassador for multiple marketing agencies.
Tari
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Tari is a creative director with 20 years of experience in agencies, editorial and TV. She finds great joy in lending her services to organizations she feels are creating positive changes in the world and is grateful to have the opportunity to work with the AFTI team as the organization combines art with a cause that she feels passionate about. She believes strongly in bringing change to the criminal justice system and in fighting for social justice and the human rights she believes we should all enjoy.
When not working on commercial art or spending time with her daughter and son, Tari can be found painting, drawing, writing and playing with glitter, beads and anything that sparkles.
Akeem
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Akeem is from Brooklyn, NY but is currently based out of Twin Cities, MN as a photographer and scholar. He is of Guyanese and Panamanian descent. He is currently a J.D. and Ph.D. student at the University of Minnesota in the American Studies Department. Akeem is working to redefine and reconceptualize the ways in which the intersections of race, health, and law are utilized and used as a point of strategic reference in issues of DEI and medical healthcare. Outside of academic work, he actively enjoys working on photography as well as with various plants and exotic animals in the house.
Christopher
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Christopher Quiñones is an artist, educator and curator from Brooklyn, New York. Raised between there and his motherland of Puerto Rico, his connection to these distinct places, and the many similarities between them informs much of his work. His interdisciplinary practice involves printmaking, crochet, ceramics and sculpture to address the diasporic existence.
After graduating from The City College of New York with a MFA in Studio Art he lectured in art and art history at St. Joseph's University in Brooklyn, as well as being the longtime installer with their Council for the Arts. There he developed strong ties to artists, curators, art workers within Brooklyn and endeavored to bring that vibrant energy to his classroom.
Now living in Minneapolis, Minnesota he has shown his work at various spaces in the Twin Cities. Most recently at the Solidarity Gallery at 972 Payne and Fresh Eye Gallery in Kingfield. He hopes to bring his experience to positively contribute to the art community here.
Pat
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Fine art was my initial major in college … until I discovered how hard it really is … especially to successfully maintain a well-spring of creative inspiration! Graphic design became my fallback passion and have been doing it for over 40 years as a founding partner at The Design Company. It’s always a treat to be able to combine the two … offering my design skills to help promote the AFTI artists who must live daily the existence that inspires them to create.
Molly
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Molly Evans is a dedicated global citizen and is recognized for Restorative Reiki Health & Wellness Organization. Molly is a certified Reiki Master Practitioner, a Life+Wellness Educator, a specialist in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, an artist, a successful entrepreneur, and a strong mental health advocate.
Mission: Molly Evans’s mission is to empower people to live their full potential in all areas of their lives through connection, healing, inspiration, leadership, creativity, and mindfulness. With over ten years of experience in management and education, Molly Evans is dedicated to training and educating others about the efficacy of mindfulness as it intersects with creativity. She demonstrates how the arts can aid in achieving mental, emotional, and physical healing for all. Molly Evans believes that creativity resides at the core of each person's being and with encouragement and practice, everyone can uncover their hidden artistic talents and true center.
Mimi
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Mimi is a mission-driven designer with over a decade of nonprofit experience. Her commitment to inclusive and accessible education led her to teach in high schools and universities abroad before returning to Minnesota to target the achievement gap in early education. Her work to ensure equitable opportunities includes providing legal aid and helping members of diverse communities navigate the education, healthcare, and justice systems.
Mimi currently serves as the Design & Digital Communications Director for Migrant Support Collective, an organization dedicated to supporting the well-being of migrants detained in the United States. Her career transition into design has allowed her to scale her impact by joining the Tech for Good movement and leverage design thinking to drive innovation and positive social change.
Isabel
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Isabel Nelson (she/they) is a performer, director, and theatre creator in the Twin Cities. She received her B.A. from Macalester College in Theatre and Religious Studies, completed a two-year program (M.F.A. equivalent) in Creating Theatre at the Lecoq-based London International School of Performing Arts (LISPA), and most recently received her M.Div. in Theology and the Arts from United Theological Seminary. Isabel is the founder of critically-acclaimed physical theater ensemble Transatlantic Love Affair (TLA), which collaboratively creates original works from the reimagined bones of old stories, and served as Artistic Director of TLA from its founding in 2010 until 2021. They are an award-winning freelance director and performer, and most recently have brought their creative practice to bear in collaboration with folx incarcerated at Stillwater Correctional Facility and Shakopee Correctional Facility through the Social Justice CPE (Volunteers of America). Isabel believes in storytelling as a vessel for healing, and theater as sacred action – a chance to imagine, embody, and create the just and generative world we deserve.