A new and unique gallery opened in the Washington, D.C., area in October, featuring artwork that is very exhilarating and different. Founded by Dennis Sobin and Carolyn Cosmos, the Prison Art Gallery is located at 1600 K Street, NW, Suite 501.

Sobin, who was in prison for 10 years, learned and played music on the guitar in genres such as classical, blues and jazz while in the institution. After coming out of prison in 2003, Sobin lived at the Community for Creative Non-Violence shelter (CCNV) and taught music in the arts and education department for a year. In 2004, Sobin was able to move out of the CCNV shelter and get his own place. He had an idea about a gallery to host artwork created while in prison, which could be a way for prisoners to make money and, more importantly, have a purpose in life.

Sobin began making contacts while regularly performing music at various locations in the D.C. area. Sobin met Cosmos in 2004, and they married in 2005. After working hard together to raise funds, grants and donations, they opened the gallery last fall.

The gallery contains a variety of different types of artwork, such as portraits, watercolor paintings, oil paintings, ink paintings, drawings, abstracts and prints. On each piece of art, there is information about the prisoner's background. Presently, the gallery occupies space in the office of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).

Sobin said he has a great deal of artwork in storage, and he needs companies or organizations that are compassionate and appreciate good art to offer storage space. The First Trinity Lutheran Church, located at 309 E Street, NW, stores some of the gallery's artwork in addition to hosting quarterly events to raise funds for the gallery, said the Rev. Thomas Knoll. Also, the Third and Eats restaurant, which employs the homeless at Third and E streets in Northwest and is owned by the First Trinity Lutheran Church, displays portraits from the Prison Art Gallery for viewing and for sale.

On the last Sunday of every month, which Sobin refers to as "Justice Sunday," the Prison Art Gallery hosts an event for the public at no cost that features the available artwork. These events give the public an opportunity to view the variety of art and enjoy poetry, music and food. Usually there is an advocate speaker as well. The next event will be held on Feb. 25 at 2 p.m., featuring Susan Galbraith from Our Place as the guest speaker. The topic will be "Women Coming Out of Prison - Help with Services."

Newsstands throughout the D.C. metropolitan area display the Prison Art Gallery name and will include the newsletter "Art For Justice," which will feature a variety of topics and information on the gallery and the artwork of prisoners.

So drop in at the Prison Art Gallery - it will be well worth it. The gallery is open Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Patricia Jefferson has been a vendor for Street Sense for eight months. She said she saving up her income from paper sales to soon move into a place of her own.