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MEDIA ALERT: Mass Incarceration: Healing through Community and Art with Toni Picasso – An Illinois Humanities Envisioning Justice Activation Event

Press Releases
Illinois Humanities

Read Time 2 minutes
January 18, 2024

For Immediate Release   

Contact:
Sarah Sommers
Phone: (773) 251 - 4772
Email: communications@ilhumanities.org

BLOOMINGTON, January 27, 2024 — Illinois Humanities will present Mass Incarceration: Healing through Community and Art with Toni Picasso, the next event in its Envisioning Justice Activation Series, on January 27 at McLean County Arts Center, 601 N East St, Bloomington, IL 61701, from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. CSTAntonio L. Burton, also known as "Toni Picasso" will lead the discussion with his art and music. Burton’s work interrogates the impacts of incarceration on those who are incarcerated and those left behind — particularly children.

The Envisioning Justice Activation Series engages the artists, educators, and organizers behind Envisioning Justice RE:ACTION–the program’s dynamic virtual exhibition–to create opportunities for us to reimagine timely conversations about justice, safety, community, and belonging. Each event is hosted in partnership with local nonprofit organizations and community groups that are dedicated to the social, cultural, and economic well-being of their communities. 

Burton is a native of Decatur, Illinois. In 2012, Antonio earned a bachelor’s in 2-D Design with an emphasis in painting from Eastern Illinois University. Since then he has hit the ground running, laying a foundation in his field of study as a freelance artist in both Illinois and Missouri. 

This free, family-friendly event is hosted by McLean County Arts Center, BCAI Cultural Arts & Humanities, Creative Healing Art Therapy, Illinois Art Station, and Not In Our Town Bloomington-Normal. Free food and drinks are provided. RSVP is required

The Envisioning Justice Activation Series will continue with free public events through November. Learn more and find an event near you at ILHumanities.org/ActivationSeries.

Envisioning Justice RE:ACTION is supported in part by the Mellon Foundation and the Art for Justice Fund, a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. Additional support comes from the MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge, Polk Bros. Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council, and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

ABOUT ILLINOIS HUMANITIES

Illinois Humanities, the Illinois affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, is a statewide nonprofit organization that activates the humanities through free public programs, grants, and educational opportunities that foster reflection, spark conversation, build community, and strengthen civic engagement. We provide free, high-quality humanities experiences throughout Illinois, particularly for communities of color, individuals living on low incomes, counties and towns in rural areas, small arts and cultural organizations, and communities highly impacted by mass incarceration. Founded in 1974, Illinois Humanities is supported by state, federal, and private funds. Stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn @ILHumanities.

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