News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 11, 2025

NYC PARKS AND THE NYC CORRECTION DEPARTMENT OPEN EXHIBITION FEATURING ARTWORK BY PEOPLE IN CUSTODY

Seven Artists Will Present Their Work at the Herbert Von King Cultural Center The Twenty Pieces of Art Hanging in the Gallery Will Center Around the Theme of Community

BROOKLYN, NY — The New York City Department of Correction’s (DOC) division of Fine and Performing Arts and the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) will present a gallery-style exhibition at the Herbert Von King Cultural Center (HVKCC) in Brooklyn featuring twenty works of art by people in custody on Rikers Island.

“The arts play such an important role for many of those in our care. Creative expression can be healing, and it can be a bridge to the community,” said NYC Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie. “We are so happy to showcase this work and for the artists — as well as the staff who support them — to see these creations on display. I would like to thank NYC Parks for hosting this first-of-its-kind exhibit.”

“Our public parks are where New Yorkers come together and we’re proud to host this inspirational art exhibit that reflects on the theme of community and showcases the creativity of New Yorkers living within Department of Correction facilities,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “Art has the power to transform both the viewer and the artist, and we strive to make culture accessible to all New Yorkers by featuring world-class art in our parks. From our eclectic temporary installations to the over 800 permanent works of art and monuments we display throughout the five boroughs, our public art can beautify our shared spaces, spark important conversations, and enrich our civic culture.”

The NYC DOC Fine and Performing Arts team is responsible for providing visual art, theatre, dance/movement, and music activities to people in custody. The goals are to gain an appreciation of the visual and performing arts, provide a mechanism to improve the quality of life of participants through self-expression, encourage the development and maintenance of fine motor skills, provide a constructive outlet for the creative abilities of the population and to encourage continued participation in the creative arts following re-entry into the community.

The free exhibit will be on display at HVKCC for the month of April.

WHO: Department of Correction and NYC Parks
WHERE: Herbert Von King Cultural Center, 670 Lafayette Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11216
WHEN: Friday, April 11th, 4 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

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The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment while providing individuals in our care with a path to successfully re-enter their communities.

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About NYC Parks:

NYC Parks is the steward of more than 30,000 acres of land — 14 percent of New York City — including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 1,800 basketball courts, 550 tennis courts, 65 public pools, 51 recreational facilities, 15 nature centers, 14 golf courses, and 14 miles of beaches. We care for 1,200 monuments and 23 historic house museums. We look after 666,000 street trees, and five million more in parks. We are New York City's principal providers of recreational and athletic facilities and programs. We are home to free concerts, world-class sports events, and cultural festivals.