Art without exclusions-Initiative of instructors of the 2nd SDE Larisa

A special way of communication was chosen by citizens of the outside society and inmates of Larissa prison.

Drawing on the experience of “postal art” that flourished in the middle of the previous century in the Western world, they engaged in a regular visual conversation by exchanging artistic creations.

The reason was the exclusion of both sides during the second quarantine due to Covid-19. Educators of the 2nd SDE of Larisa took the initiative to build bridges between society and the prison, ensuring the anonymity of the participants in the original project.

A global proposal that had worked from time to time in our country came to be tested for the first time in places of detention, and indeed in an almost “emergency” way. Technology was deployed out of necessity and leveraged by choice, transforming postal communication into online, its most modern form.

Drawings, sketches, photographs, collages and paintings participated in a dialogue, the purpose of which remained communication until the end. This activity was then capitalized on in the context of creative writing: learners taking part in the program were inspired by the visual dialogue works to produce experiential and reflective texts. It also opened the way for conversation this time with Swedish prison inmates.

Images, texts and theoretical material were included in an e-book written by the trainers who coordinated the actions. The book is free to read at the link: https://sde-df-laris.lar.sch.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mail-art-e-book.pdf