# Annual art exhibit by incarcerated community raises $18K for scholarship

### ‘{Ink}arcerated’ show featured more than 400 works by 200 artists at Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix

By Mark J. Scarp, ASU News
May 21, 2025

An annual exhibition of art created by people who are incarcerated in Arizona sold 200 pieces on May 16, raising more than $18,000 for a yearly Arizona State University scholarship.

This year’s show featured more than 400 artworks, said criminology and criminal justice Associate Professor Kevin Wright. A tradition since 2017, with a few years’ hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the show has raised an all-time total of more than $70,000, he said.

This year's amount is the largest raised from one show in the history of the "{Ink}arcerated: Creativity within Confinement" art show, said Wright, who is also the director of ASU’s Center for Correctional Solutions, part of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

The ASU Center for Correctional Solutions Scholarship was launched in 2024. It supports higher education for people who formerly or currently live and work in Arizona’s correctional system and their families.

Dozens of people lined up outside what had been a vacant retail space at the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix, waiting for the doors to open at 6 p.m. for the four-hour show. The check-in line continued to snake out the front door for more than half an hour.

“The show was a huge success. We had at least 600 people come through,” said Wright, who added that he and his staff are still tallying the proceeds toward a final total.

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry has supported the show since it launched eight years ago with only about 75 pieces on display. Since then, more artists, many who have contributed multiple pieces, have participated.

The exhibition will culminate with another public event June 6 in conjunction with First Fridays, downtown Phoenix’s monthly celebration of art and culture in a variety of venues. Remaining artworks will be available for sale then, Wright said. The Arizona Center is at 455 N. Third St.

The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice is part of the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.

#### Changing Futures campaign

This investment is part of ASU’s Changing Futures campaign.

ASU is committed to providing inclusive educational access and innovative solutions to the complexities of modern life. Fueled by philanthropic investment and unique partnerships, the university’s Changing Futures campaign is committed to raising resources to have a direct and significant impact on the communities we serve.

The campaign focuses on six key areas: enhancing education access, developing leaders, promoting sustainability, strengthening communities, advancing health and developing impactful technology.

This story originally appeared on ASU News.