Inmates at Macquarie Correctional Centre have shown their creative skills scooping up six awards in the annual Wellington show.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ten artworks were entered into various categories at the show, resulting in two first-place wins, including the show champion-sash and certificate, one second-place and three highly commended awards.
The prestigious Katie Barton Memorial Award for fine art, in honour of the late artist and local gallery owner, was awarded to a 36-year-old inmate John for his dot painting of a kangaroo.
READ ALSO:
John told the Daily Liberal it was "awesome" to be recognised for something he had created.
He said he had been painting for a couple of years now and found it "relaxing".
"It keeps me busy and gives me time to myself, makes the time go quicker," he said.
Next, John said he had plans to enter the NAIDOC art competition and "any others" the centre could arrange.
Winner of the champion sash was inmate Dan who said he was "over the moon" to have won.
"It's the best thing to have happened to me," he said.
"It's a real buzz knowing I have done something good and that has been acknowledged by others."
Dan said while he found art therapeutic and relaxing, it was also "fun".
"I only started last year when I joined the centre's art program," he said.
"It keeps me busy, it's giving me skills and it's something I can do to give back to the community."
Dan said he would continue working on his skills and enter whatever competitions the centre could get him into.
Senior Assistant Superintendent Liz Sears who coordinates the centre's art program wasn't surprised by the impressive results.
"Given the calibre of previous works created by our participants, these results are a testament to our art program and highlight the efforts put in by the inmates," she said.
Macquarie Correctional Centre Governor Brad Peebles said the art and music programs at the centre compliment existing therapeutic programs by providing inmates the opportunity to further develop a pro-social mindset.
"This change of mindset is more likely to stimulate lasting personal change, which in turn reduces the likelihood of reoffending when inmates are released into the community," he said.