An exhibition exploring artistic expression, poetry, and performance created by Lorton Reformatory inmates. The exhibit was held at the Anacostia Neighborhood Museum from October 1970 to November 1970. These records document the planning, organizing, execution, and promotion of the exhibition. Materials include correspondence, research files, exhibit scripts, administrative records, brochures, press coverage, education packets, loan agreements, floor plans, and catalogues.
Restrictions:
Use of the materials requires an appointment. Please contact the archivist to make an appointment: ACMarchives@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution. Anacostia Community Museum Search this
Extent:
1 Sound recording (open reel, 1/4 inch)
Type:
Archival materials
Sound recordings
Exhibition records
Date:
undated
Scope and Contents:
An exhibition exploring artistic expression, poetry, and performance created by Lorton Reformatory inmates. The exhibit was held at the Anacostia Neighborhood Museum from October 1970 to November 1970.
These records document the planning, organizing, execution, and promotion of the exhibition. Materials include video and sound recordings.
Restrictions:
Use of the materials requires an appointment. Some items are not accessible due to obsolete format and playback machinery restrictions. Please contact the archivist at acmarchives@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution. Anacostia Community Museum Search this
Extent:
1 Sound recording (open reel, 1/4 inch)
Type:
Archival materials
Sound recordings
Narration
Place:
Lorton (Va.)
Anacostia (Washington, D.C.)
Washington (D.C.)
United States
Date:
circa 1970
Scope and Contents:
For the exhibition Lorton Reformatory: Beyond Time, the narrator provides a short history as well as a description of the architectural look and feel of Lorton Reformatory. The dormitories, dining halls, barber shop, chapel, art studio, infirmary, arts and crafts building, ball field, miniature golf course, educational building, and maximum security cells are described. The narrator speaks of the marketable skills the inmates acquire in the barber shop, print shop, tag shop, garment shop, and car maintenance shop. The artistic pursuits of the inmates through the Inner Voices group, theatrical and band performances, and arts and crafts are also described.
Narration. Part of Lorton Reformatory: Beyond Time Audiovisual Records. Undated.
Biographical / Historical:
The exhibition, Lorton Reformatory: Beyond Time, explored the artistic expression, poetry, and performance created by Lorton Reformatory inmates. The exhibit was held at the Anacostia Neighborhood Museum from October 1970 to November 1970.
Local Numbers:
ACMA AV003328-2
Series Restrictions:
Use of the materials requires an appointment. Some items are not accessible due to obsolete format and playback machinery restrictions. Please contact the archivist at acmarchives@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution. Anacostia Community Museum Search this
Extent:
1 Sound recording (open reel, 1/4 inch)
Type:
Archival materials
Sound recordings
Narration
Place:
Lorton (Va.)
Anacostia (Washington, D.C.)
Washington (D.C.)
United States
Date:
circa 1970s
Scope and Contents:
Narrator provides a history of Lorton Reformatory and describes the architectural look and feel of Lorton. descibes the buildings - dormatory, dining hall, barbershop, chapel, art studio He talks about the buildings built and maintained by the inmates talks about the artwork acreated by the inmates, and the duties inmates performs for the district and federal government. Skills inmates learn at Lorton. Drama group, band musicians
Narration. Part of Lorton Reformatory: Beyond Time Exhibition Records. AV003328-2: consistent beeps throughout recording. Undated.
Biographical / Historical:
The exhibition, Lorton Reformatory: Beyond Time, explored the artistic expression, poetry, and performance created by Lorton Reformatory inmates. The exhibit was held at the Anacostia Neighborhood Museum from October 1970 to November 1970.
Local Numbers:
ACMA AV003328-2
Series Restrictions:
Use of the materials requires an appointment. Some items are not accessible due to obsolete format and playback machinery restrictions. Please contact the archivist at acmarchives@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution. Anacostia Community Museum Search this
Extent:
1 Sound recording (audio cassette)
Type:
Archival materials
Sound recordings
Place:
Lorton (Va.)
Virginia
Anacostia (Washington, D.C.)
Washington (D.C.)
United States
Date:
circa 1980
Scope and Contents:
Formerly incarcerated individuals discussed the effect of penal institutions on their lives; rehabilitation; work and educational opportunities and assignments; description of maximum security versus minimum security; black youth in prison; length of prison sentences; public court system and court appointed lawyers; racism within the criminal justice system and penitentiaries; homosexuality in penal institutions; and training opportunities within prison which lead to skills to gain employment when released from prison. Much of the conversation revolves around Lorton Reformatory/Lorton Correctional Complex and Occoquan Workhouse; Federal Correctional Complex in Petersburg also mentioned. John Kinard asked a question to the individuals toward the end of the recording.
Discussion. Audio only. Very poor audio quality. Transcribed from physical asset: Rap Session on Lorton by Male Anacostia Resident. Undated.
Local Numbers:
ACMA AV001350_B
Restrictions:
Use of the materials requires an appointment. Some items are not accessible due to obsolete format and playback machinery restrictions. Please contact the archivist to make an appointment: ACMarchives@si.edu.
Lorton Correctional Complex (Washington, D.C.) Search this
Collection Creator:
Smithsonian Institution. Anacostia Community Museum Search this
Extent:
2 Video recordings (open reel, 1/2 inch)
Type:
Archival materials
Video recordings
Drama
Music
Place:
Anacostia (Washington, D.C.)
Washington (D.C.)
United States
Lorton (Va.)
Date:
circa 1970s
Scope and Contents:
The Inner Voices group from the Lorton Correctional Complex use music, dancing, and dramatic skits to present the drug scene based on the experiences of the men in the group. Performance is followed by a question and answer session where the inmates talk about their experiences using drugs.
Dramatic and music performance. Part of ACM Museum Events, PR, and Ceremonies Recordings. Transcribed from AV004343: Lorton "Inner Voices" Pertormance at Drug Exhibit on the mall. Undated.
Biographical / Historical:
Inner Voices group was formed in October of 1969 by inmates of the Lorton Correctional Complex, which was a penal institution located in Lorton, Virginia. The goal was to alleviate some of the tensions and frustrations caused from being incarcerated. The group gives people an experience or shares an experience with people rather than performing for an audience. They use the stage as a social mirror to reflect some of their past experiences and to reflect some of the ills of society with the hope of coming up with some solutions for the problems. Inner Voices, Incorporated, an outside chapter and nonprofit corporation made up of men who were released from Lorton Correctional Complex, works with schools, churches, and government agencies to enlighten the community to some of the problems associated with drugs and some of efforts the community can participate to overcome the problems.
Local Numbers:
ACMA AV000826
Collection Restrictions:
Use of the materials requires an appointment. Please contact the archivist to make an appointment: ACMarchives@si.edu.
Lorton Correctional Complex (Washington, D.C.) Search this
Collection Creator:
Smithsonian Institution. Anacostia Community Museum Search this
Extent:
1 Video recording (open reel, 1/2 inch)
Type:
Archival materials
Video recordings
Music
Place:
Lorton (Va.)
Anacostia (Washington, D.C.)
Washington (D.C.)
United States
Date:
circa 1970s
Scope and Contents:
Religious service celebrating the initial baptism of the Layman Prisoners Council program. Held at Lorton Correctional Complex. Inmates participate in the service as baptismal candidates; with the readings; reciting testimonials; and as musicians.
Religious service. Part of ACM Museum Events, PR, and Ceremonies Recordings. Undated.
Collection Restrictions:
Use of the materials requires an appointment. Please contact the archivist to make an appointment: ACMarchives@si.edu.
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center.
Researchers interested in accessing audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies. Contact References Services for more information.
Collection Rights:
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Naúl Ojeda papers, circa 1960-2004, circa 2013. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Sponsor:
The processing and digitization of this collection received Federal support from the Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center. Additional funding for the digitization of the papers was provided by the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation.
Discussion between Zora Martin-Felton and Pleasant Burke about Burke's feelings, insights, and experiences. Some discussion about life at Lorton Reformatory and his return to the community. Pleasant Burke, a painter and resident of Lorton Reformatory, explains his painting and what he communicates to people through his work. Burke talks about his artistic process, the media he works with, why he creates art, and his evolution as an artist. He also talks about the experience of being an artist at Lorton Reformatory, the artistic and creative opportunities at Lorton Reformatory, and his family and life (crime and drugs) prior to his stay at Lorton Reformatory. At the end of the recording, Burke recites a poem he wrote about his painting.
Interview/Discussion. Part of ACM Museum Events, PR, and Ceremonies Recordings. Dated 19740326.
Collection Restrictions:
Use of the materials requires an appointment. Some items are not accessible due to obsolete format and playback machinery restrictions. Please contact the archivist at acmarchives@si.edu.
Richard Pryor presents John Kinard with a painting by Pleasant Burke, an artist and inmate at Lorton Reformatory. Pryor and Kinard both speak about Lorton Reformatory and the inmates at Lorton Reformatory. Pryor performs a short comic routine.
Presentation and performance. Part of ACM Museum Events, PR, and Ceremonies Recordings. Dated 1974.
Collection Restrictions:
Use of the materials requires an appointment. Some items are not accessible due to obsolete format and playback machinery restrictions. Please contact the archivist at acmarchives@si.edu.
Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu.
