Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site Announces New Slate of Programs Centered on Themes of Democracy, Justice, and Hope
August 20, 2024
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site (ESPHS) announces an ambitious slate of new public programs for fall 2024, including film screenings, panel discussions, an art exhibition, a new series of educational videos, and more, all centered on themes of democracy, justice, and hope. Featuring partnerships with Mural Arts Philadelphia, Visit Philadelphia, Free Library of Philadelphia, Brennan Center for Justice, Annenberg Public Policy Center, and Made by Us, ESPHS’s fall 2024 programming offers myriad ways to engage in civil dialogue around these timely and important topics.
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site’s Fall 2024 Programming Preview:
Justice 101
Monthly, September 2024 through May 2025
Justice 101 is a monthly discussion series examining the history of the justice system in America, from its founding to today, and the impact it has on society, citizens, and the world. September marks the premiere of the second season of Justice 101, and the first time it is held in person with a live audience present. (The program will also be livestreamed.)
Tuesday, September 17
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
In Person: The Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library Auditorium
Online: Live-streamed via Zoom.
In partnership with the Free Library of Philadelphia and the Brennan Center for Justice, Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site hosts this compelling in-person Justice 101 discussion featuring a distinguished panel of scholars, practitioners, activists, and thought leaders. Together, we will explore the concept of establishing justice and critically examine the role of excessive punishment in the criminal justice system. The discussion will spotlight contributors to Excessive Punishment: How the Justice System Creates Mass Incarceration who will share their insights and propose pathways for reform. Moderated by Dr. Kerry Sautner, Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site President and CEO. This event is free; reservations are required: EasternState.org/Justice101.
The 2024-25 series of Justice 101 tackles such issues as restorative justice, juvenile justice, justice reform as political platform, solitary confinement, and the death penalty. Full program schedule and panelist details to be announced.
Justice 101 programs are free and take place monthly. Guests can tune in live or watch the programs back anytime on YouTube. Justice 101 is designed for learners of all ages. For more information, visit EasternState.org/Justice101.
TED Democracy Fireside Chat: The Power of Participation
September 19, 2024
Presented by Visit Philadelphia, TED Democracy features a series of high-profile events over three years centered around the concepts and pillars that are essential to preserving modern democracy. The second program of the series takes place at Eastern State Penitentiary, highlighting the power of participating in a democratic society. Hosted by moderator and political commentator Sally Kohn, the event features thought-provoking TED Talks from some of the nation’s most influential voices for voting change:
• Desmond Meade, a formerly homeless returning citizen who now serves as president of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, a grassroots organization that has helped restore voting rights to more than 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions.
• Katie Fahey, citizen changemaker and executive director of The People, who led a successful movement in her home state of Michigan against gerrymandering — the practice of drawing district lines to favor one political party over others.
The event takes place in person at Eastern State Penitentiary at 5:00 p.m. with additional community watch parties throughout Philadelphia (locations TBA). This event is free; reservations are required: VisitPhilly.com.
The TED Democracy Fireside Chat initiative brings together big thinkers and civic leaders who are protecting and reimagining democracies across the globe. Each event features TED Talks from esteemed thought-leaders, held at historic locations in Philadelphia. For more information, visit VisitPhilly.com.
Unlocking History
Monthly, beginning September 2024
A brand-new video series produced by Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Unlocking History examines the intricacies of everyday life at Eastern State Penitentiary and in prisons today. Each month, ESPHS researchers delve into the archives to share a unique and often-overlooked slice of history focused on a specific person, community, or topic. The first video will be released in September 2024 on YouTube, illuminating the important role of sports in prison culture. Future topics include civil rights, temperance, reentry, animals, veterans, and more. For more information, visit EasternState.org/UnlockingHistory.
Democracy for All
September 16-20, 2024
As part of its larger commitment to honoring civic celebrations, Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site presents a weeklong celebration, titled Democracy For All, that kicks off with Youth250 on Monday, September 16 and culminates with thematic public programs through Friday the 20th.
- Monday, September 16:
Eastern State Penitentiary serves as host site for Youth250, cultivating youth participation in the United States Semiquincentennial. Made By Us, the nationwide network of museums and historic sites empowering Gen Z civic participation, leads the invitation-only workshop all day at the historic site.
In order to accommodate Youth250, Eastern State Penitentiary is closed to the public on Monday, September 16. - Tuesday, September 17:
ESPHS presents four screenings of Annenberg Public Policy Center’s film The Eighth Amendment: Cruel and Unusual Punishment throughout the day, plus a discussion with a panel of experts, including Marsha Levick from the Juvenile Law Center and Bryan Widenhouse from the National Life Without Parole Leadership Council, at 2:00 p.m. Included with admission to the historic site. The panel discussion will also be live-streamed.
ESPHS also offers hands-on activities, pop-up talks, and behind-the-scenes tours related to the theme of democracy for all. Included with admission to the historic site. - Wednesday, September 18:
ESPHS offers hands-on activities, pop-up talks, and behind-the-scenes tours related to the theme of democracy for all. Included with admission to the historic site. - Thursday, September 19:
TED Democracy Fireside Chat. See above for details. In order to accommodate the Fireside Chat, Eastern State Penitentiary is closed to the public on Thursday, September 19. - Friday, September 20:
ESPHS presents a screening of Sing Sing at 2:00 p.m., followed by a panel discussion with select cast and crew. In the film, Divine G (Colman Domingo), imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn’t commit, finds purpose by acting in a theatre group with other incarcerated men. When a wary outsider joins the group, the men decide to stage their first original comedy, in this stirring true story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art, starring an unforgettable ensemble cast of formerly incarcerated actors. Included with admission to the historic site.
ESPHS also offers hands-on activities, pop-up talks, and behind-the-scenes tours related to the theme of democracy for all. Included with admission to the historic site.
For more information, visit EasternState.org/events.
Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration by Mark Loughney
Opening Fall 2024. Date to be announced.
In partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia, Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site exhibits a portrait mural by artist Mark Loughney as part of his ongoing project Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration.
Mark Loughney, Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Reimagining Reentry 2023-2024 Fellow, is a formerly incarcerated painter, draftsman, and portraitist whose art acts as a national courier for criminal justice reform efforts. Pyrrhic Defeat features portraits of people who support criminal justice reform and the abolition of prison slavery alongside portraits of incarcerated individuals.
His installation at Eastern State Penitentiary takes the form of a mural, installed along a historic wall that originally connected a series of solitary confinement cells to adjoining solitary exercise yards.
Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study Of Mass Incarceration is inspired by and titled after pyrrhic defeat theory, which was posited by Jeffrey Reiman and Paul Leighton in their book, The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison.
The exhibition at Eastern State Penitentiary will open in fall 2024, date to be announced, and will be on view every day, included with admission. For more information, visit EasternState.org.
“We are excited to embark on a new season of programs at Eastern State Penitentiary, with so many creative ways for people to engage in civil dialogue around important and challenging topics,” says Dr. Kerry Sautner, President and CEO. “Now more than ever, our society craves inspiration and unity. By exploring themes of democracy, justice, and hope, we hope that Eastern State can serve as a catalyst for positive change, promoting deeper understanding and strengthening our communities. We invite people across the nation to learn and engage with us on these critical issues that impact us all.”
About Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site:
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site interprets the legacy of American criminal justice reform, from the nation’s founding through to the present day, within the long-abandoned cellblocks of the nation’s most historic prison.
For more information, visit EasternState.org and follow Eastern State Penitentiary on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, and Tik Tok.
About Mural Arts Philadelphia:
Mural Arts Philadelphia is the nation’s largest public art program, dedicated to the belief that art ignites change. Now celebrating its 40th Anniversary with the theme Roots & Reimagination, Mural Arts has united artists and communities through a collaborative and equitable process, creating over 4,000 artworks that have transformed public spaces and individual lives. Mural Arts aims to empower people, stimulate dialogue, and build bridges to mutual understanding through projects that attract artists from Philadelphia and around the world and programs that focus on youth education, restorative justice, mental health and wellness, and public arts preservation. Popular mural tours offer a firsthand glimpse into the inspiring stories behind Mural Arts' iconic and unparalleled collection, earning Philadelphia worldwide recognition as the "Mural Capital of the World." For more information, call 215-685-0750 or visit muralarts.org.
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. @EasternState announces an ambitious slate of new programs for the fall, including film screenings, panel discussions, art exhibition, new series of educational videos, and more - all centered on themes of democracy, justice, and hope. Learn more: EasternState.org
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