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Artwork by incarcerated people at Monroe County Jail and 40 Years After the Attica Uprising: Looking Back, Moving Forward conference displays

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MS-0220

Scope and Contents

This collection contains materials from the 40 Years After the Attica Uprising: Looking Back, Moving Forward conference, hosted at The Baldy Center for Law and Social Policy, from September 11-13, 2011. The conference included several panels of experts to discuss the Attica uprising. The conference also hosted a display of artwork by people incarcerated at the Monroe County Jail. All the artwork was done shortly after the Attica riots by participants of a unique arts program hosted by volunteer Betty Jane Evans.

Dates

  • 2011

Creator

Terms of Access and Use

The Monroe County Jail Artwork and 40 Years After the Attica Uprising: Looking Back, Moving Forward conference displays, 2011 are open to researchers.

Copyright

Copyright of papers in the collection may be held by their authors, or the authors' heirs or assigns. Researchers must obtain the written permission of the holder(s) of copyright and University Archives before requesting photocopies and/or publishing quotations from materials in the collection. Once permission is obtained, most papers may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures unless otherwise specified.

Historical Note

Attica, NY was the center of attention in 1971 when people incarcerated at the Attica State Prison reacted to the long-festering problem within the US prison system. On September 9, 1971 they had had enough and escalated the situation into the deadliest prison riot in US history. After four days, the New York State police invaded the prison, and in the end 29 prisoners and 10 security and civilian staff were dead.

In 1966, due to tensions in the prison system Betty Jane Evans joined a tour of concerned citizens in a tour of the Monroe County Jail. Sensing a need for enrichment, Evans created a volunteer run arts program for incarcerated people. This art program was taught weekly by Evans for 22 years – 1966-1988. Shortly after the nearby riot at the Attica State Prison, those in Evans’ art program responded by creating topical works of art.

Extent

7.15 Linear Feet (3 large flat boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection contains artwork by people incarcerated at the Monroe County Jail, as well as display boards from the 40 Years After the Attica Uprising: Looking Back, Moving Forward conference.

Arrangement

The materials in this collection are display boards and pieces of art. Because of the size and nature of the materials, the pieces are housed according to size.

Acquisition Information

The materials in this collection were deposited in the University Archives by Beth Adelman, director of the University at Buffalo Law Library, in October 2011.

Accruals and Additions

No further accruals are expected.

Processing Information

Processed by Jennifer Cheney, November 2011; finding aid encoded by Grace Trimper, May 2022.

Source

Title
Finding Aid for the Monroe County Jail Artwork, and 40 Years After the Attica Uprising: Looking Back, Moving Forward conference displays
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid prepared by Jennifer Cheney
Date
2011 November
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • May 2022: Collection title and notes revised to reflect contemporary language conventions for groups of individuals. For more information about what was amended, please contact us at lib-archives@buffalo.edu.

Repository Details

Part of the University Archives Repository

Contact:
420 Capen Hall
Buffalo New York 14260-1674 US
716-645-2916
716-645-3714 (Fax)