Art and incarcerated women. It's a perfect fit in Minnette Webster's eyes. So confident she was of this that seven years ago she contacted the officials at the Hillsborough Correctional Institution, a faith-based prison. "I was at the Y and met somebody who was going to the prison to mentor," Webster said. "I thought, 'Hey, maybe they could use an art teacher.' "

Seven years later, Webster is still at, with a sponsorship from the Arts Council of Hillsborough County. The work of her students from over the years is on display this month (June 2010) at the Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association in Brandon, Fla. The exhibit opening will be celebrated at Center Place on June 13 from 3 to 5 p.m.

With Webster for the hanging of the art work (a sampling of which appears on the following pages) are, from left, Nancy Sanchez and Gunni and Bob Price.

Webster meets three hours a week with about 40 art students, who in turn have time in the studio as the prison schedule allows. "I get a lot more from them than they get from me," Webster said. "They come into the art room smiling. They consider the art room they're escape from prison. What a way to escape."

Art and incarcerated women. It's a perfect fit in Minnette Webster's eyes. So confident she was of this that seven years ago she contacted the officials at the Hillsborough Correctional Institution, a faith-based prison. "I was at the Y and met somebody who was going to the prison to mentor," Webster said. "I thought, 'Hey, maybe they could use an art teacher.' "

Seven years later, Webster is still at, with a sponsorship from the Arts Council of Hillsborough County. The work of her students from over the years is on display this month (June 2010) at the Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association in Brandon, Fla. The exhibit opening will be celebrated at Center Place on June 13 from 3 to 5 p.m.

With Webster for the hanging of the art work (a sampling of which appears on the following pages) are, from left, Nancy Sanchez and Gunni and Bob Price.

Webster meets three hours a week with about 40 art students, who in turn have time in the studio as the prison schedule allows. "I get a lot more from them than they get from me," Webster said. "They come into the art room smiling. They consider the art room they're escape from prison. What a way to escape."