Opening reception for '1 in 100: America Behind Bars'

"1 in 100: America Behind Bars" is a thoughtful and startling exploration into the sobering fact that one of every one hundred adults in the United States is in prison. The exhibit will be on display at the Oshman Family JCC January 10 to January 23.

"We chose this exhibit because we feel that it is important to bring contemporary and stimulating issues to the entire community," said Sally Oken, OFJCC Cultural Arts Director. "The statistic that 1 person in 100 is behind bars is staggering. We wanted to point out that this touches our entire community, including the Jewish community."

The exhibit, created by the Bay Area PLEXUS Art Group, is meant to encourage thought about the high rate of incarceration and how it affects not only those who are imprisoned, but their children, spouses, communities and society. Viewers are left to question how they can help reduce the high rate of incarceration, support families of prisoners and foster an ex-prisoner's re-integration into society. The PLEXUS Art Group makes and exhibits fine art that addresses social and political concerns directly impacting its members and the community at large.