This photographer shot prison arts programs in California for 15 years and his powerful photos capture hope and humanity

Pauline VillegasMar 12, 2023, 17:56 IST

A gospel choir performs during class at Valley State Prison in 2017.Peter Merts

Peter Merts, 72, has captured California's prison arts programs for the past 15 years.
Merts wants his audience to see the "humanness" of incarcerated people and the art they create.

Peter Merts, 72, is a photographer who captures arts programs in California prisons.

Peter Merts has spent 15 years taking photos of prison arts programs in California.Photo courtesy of Peter Merts

Merts first began photographing for Bread and Roses, a nonprofit organization that organizes live performances for institutionalized audiences.

An actor waits for his cue during a rehearsal of Shakespeare's Macbeth at Solano State Prison in 2015.Peter Merts

Today, almost all of the classes Merts shoots belong to the Arts in Corrections program.

A mural artist stands in front of his work at Valley State Prison in 2017.Peter Merts

Merts immediately fell in love with the California Arts in Corrections program.

Painting students paint in the Catholic chapel at Sierra Conservation Center in 2016.Peter Merts

When Arts in Corrections shared Merts' work with the California Department of Corrections, the photos took off.

Gerald Moran with his painting in the San Quentin State Prison art studio in 2015.Peter Merts

Soon, instructors from different prisons within the California Arts in Corrections began inviting him to shoot their art classes.

Dancers rehearse at San Quentin State Prison in 2016.Peter Merts

The photographer noticed early on that there were negative perceptions of the incarcerated community.

Students learn an improv exercise during theater class at High Desert State Prison in 2018.Peter Merts

Merts told Insider he wants to evoke feelings of empathy and compassion from his audience.

Theater class is held in the old stone chapel at Folsom State Prison in 2018.Peter Merts

In Merts' own work, he focuses largely on hands while shooting the arts programs.

A student holds his heart textbook at Calipatria State Prison in 2018.Peter Merts

The tattoos on the artist's hands make Merts' shots more engaging, he believes.

A songwriting student playing the piano at CCI Tehachapi in 2018.Peter Merts

Merts' focus on hands and faces in his work is meant to highlight the humanity of the artists.

A guitar student and his instructor at North Kern State Prison in 2018.Peter Merts

When Merts began taking photos, he went for a "fly on the wall" feel, but realized the photos looked detached.

A theater class rehearses at California Medical Facility in 2018.Peter Merts

When giving his subjects space didn't work, Merts decided to move in closer.

A classical guitar student plays at Sierra Conservation Center in 2019.Peter Merts

In movement classes, Merts becomes an active member of the environment.

Students attend a hip-hop dance class at Ironwood State Prison in 2016.Peter Merts

Merts primarily photographs rehearsals and workshops to capture the artists as they create.

A dancer rehearses at Central California Women's Facility in 2017.Peter Merts

According to Merts, his work means a lot to the incarcerated people that he photographs.

A theater student performs at Ironwood State Prison in 2018.Peter Merts

Merts told Insider about an instance at Pelican Bay State prison where an incarcerated man showed him a photo he took seven years earlier.

A creative writing class at Pelican Bay State Prison in 2019.Peter Merts

Merts told Insider the program inspired previously incarcerated people to return and teach a class.

Mariachi band class rehearses at Avenal State Prison in 2018.Peter Merts

Merts has noticed some patterns within the artists' work, like imagery around birds and nature.

The view from the art studio at San Quentin State Prison in 2006.Peter Merts

Another pattern that Merts sees in incarcerated artists' work is a focus on their respective cultures.

A student practices a traditional Aztec dance at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, Corcoran in 2019.Peter Merts

Merts described these arts programs as "refreshing," and he has hope for the future of arts in prisons.

A student inspects his painting in the window light at Pleasant Valley State Prison in 2019.Peter Merts

Merts has considered furthering his project beyond California's borders, but he's built trust with the state.

A prisoner in the Arts in Corrections program holds his origami pieces at San Quentin State Prison in 2017.Peter Merts

Through his work, Merts hopes that the general public will have a more holistic view of incarcerated people.

Improv students depict motherhood at California Institution for Women in 2019.Peter Merts

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