Art as Therapy for Prisoners: A maximum security prison in Nashville, Tennessee is putting on “Life After Death and Beyond,” an art exhibit that displays monuments and memorials addressing the death penalty. Organizers Robin Paris and Tom Williams have helped put on several exhibits featuring the work of prison inmates in recent years; Robins explains that “[t]hese men have a lot to say about their experiences both inside and outside of prison, and their works show that they are much more than prisoners condemned to die.” Robins also argues that the therapeutic value of these creations for inmates is not the only benefit– he believes that society at large benefits from hearing the voices of these men. The pieces in the exhibit remind viewers that art can provide hope and healing even in the darkest of times, and can foster powerful and profound conversation even across prison walls.

Art as Therapy for Disaster Survivors: Actor Wendell Pierce explains in an interview for NPR that performing Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans offered resident survivors hope and healing. Pierce, best known for playing Detective Bunk Moreland in HBO’s The Wire, reflects on a particular moment of the play, saying “[W]hen I did [that scene] in the Lower Ninth Ward on the hallowed ground where so many people had died…It was one of the most cathartic moments of my life and it reminded me of the power of art.” Pierce’s incredibly moving interview includes further reflections on the 10 years since Katrina and the power of unity in the face of disaster.

Glimpses into the Art Scene of North Korea: Despite being host to what might be the world’s largest center for art production, Mansudae Art Studio, North Korea has kept artwork produced by its citizens mostly hidden from the world. Some such art can be seen on the Mansudae website, while others have recently been featured in a South Korean art exhibit. Most North Korean art seems to fall within the category of “socialist realism,” depicting scenes of ordinary people enjoying their work. Other work features pastoral scenes or uses traditional Korean styles. North Korean defector and artist Song Byeok paints a bleak picture of the country’s artistic scene, recalling high levels of governmental control over artistic topics and techniques. Hopefully some day North Korean artists will know more freedom of expression and will be able to share more of their work with the world.

Because Cats Need Portraits, Too: Photographer Larry Johnson uses his skills to provide professional portraiture services for felines. Johnson, who often advertises and offers his services at cat shows, explains: “It’s not a picture of a cat. It’s a picture of my cat. And that’s what I want to capture, that’s what they see at home: their cat, and their personality.” Anyone who has tried to take a non-blurry, flattering picture of their cat knows the difficulties Johnson must face in his work. Often employing feather toys and long strings to manipulate his subjects into position, Johnson explains the difficulties of his job: “You can’t say put your head up a little bit, put your nose down, turn to the left, turn to the right…the cat will say ‘No way!'” Johnson argues against the nay-sayers who claim cats don’t have expressions–pointing to the subtlety of body and eye movements and positioning. Sometimes an Instagram photo just won’t do Fluffy justice. Larry Johnson is here to help.