This Prison Arts and Crafts Show is sponsored by the Prison Art Gallery and the Prisons Foundation. It will be held at First Trinity Lutheran Church, 309 E Street, NW from 10 AM to 5 PM, with free admission, live entertainment and hundreds of pieces of prison art for sale from prison artists across America, including original art and prints by ex-prisoner Russ Luncsford. Luncsford will appear on December 9 noon at the First Trinity Arts and Crafts Show and also on the same day at the Prison Art Gallery at 3 PM (1600 K Street NW, Suite 501, Washington, DC). Russ Luncsford, 38, a resident of Waterloo, Iowa, was released from prison in January 2005. During his incarceration Luncsford made artistic contributions to various prisoner advocacy groups throughout the United States. Today post-release, he continues to work with the Prisons Foundation and several other groups, realizing the human potential caged within the nation's growing prison system. Luncsford’s artwork reflects the despair and oppression of unforgiveness for those who remain in prison and also for those who remain chained to a past as debilitating as any prison constructed from concrete and steel. He wants to raise awareness that unforgiveness is counterproductive and no less uncaring than that of the offense itself. This is not to condone criminal or otherwise harmful behavior. Russ believes people need to be held accountable for their actions. In promoting forgiveness Russ has teamed up with Joel Kimball, an exprisoner and friend from Canada, to form a not- for profit organization called Compassion Works. Through Russ's powerful artwork they seek to move other hearts to a restorative perspective that wrong need not be returned for wrong or harm for harm but that something positive may be brought from tragedy. In addition to Luncsford and his work featured at the Prison Arts and Crafts Shows, there will be live entertainment by exprisoner classical guitarist Dennis Sobin and Jazz by MudPie, providing a playful musical experience with drums, bass and guitar that is free from traditional restrictions. For further information visit www.PrisonsFoundation.org or call 202 -393-1511. (Art by Russ Luncsford is featured in "Art for Justice" (Pg 14), a bimonthly newmagazine published by the Prisons Foundation which can be viewed at www.PrisonsFoundation.org, and also on the Prisons Foundation website at http://prisonsfoundation.org/prints/ box.html. Luncsford is available for interviews and media appearances before and during the event. High resolution examples of his art will be sent as email attachments upon request.) Contact: Dennis Sobin email: [email protected] phone: 202-393-1511