Through engagement in artistic activities our students create artworks of value, for display and public exhibition. Each year PAF stage an exhibition of artwork in locations such as arts venues and galleries, community spaces, public buildings and prison environments. We do this to showcase the talent and potential of both serving prisoners and those who are involved with the criminal justice system – in the hope that audiences view each artist as an individual, allowing them to see their emotions through sculpture, paint, music and spoken word, often causing them to reconsider their negative stereotypes. We also print publications of new creative writing and visual artworks in conjunction with projects and exhibitions, available to purchase in our online shop.
Past Exhibitions
Embracing Art
Prison Arts Foundation’s annual showcase of art by serving prisoners at Maghaberry, Magilligan and Hydebank Wood College & Women’s Prison, secure patients at Shannon Clinic, and ex-offenders in the community.
Tipping the Balance
Tipping the Balance
The number and proportion of older people in the population is consistently increasing; this is likewise apparent in our criminal justice system.
31st March 2022Limited Editions
The exhibition returned to the former Victorian prison after a two-year absence because of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on public gatherings and contained the multi-discipline creative works by prisoners from Maghaberry, Magilligan, Hydebank Wood College and Women’s Prison, as well as works created by ex-offenders based in community settings.
2019Creative Energy
Creative Energy showcases an amazing body of multimedia work created by the men and women currently within the Northern Ireland prison system, as well as those on non-custodial community sentences.
2019The Mythologies of Me
‘The Mythologies of Me’ is a show of works by Acorn Women’s Group and Strangford Integrated College supported with funding from Ards and North Down Borough Council.
2018Liberation
Libération – celebrating arts within the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland
2018Reflections on Identity
‘Faces of Change: Votes for Women Touring Exhibition’
2015Journey
Journey – celebrating arts within the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland
Past Events
The Write Lines PAF’s Inaugural Writing Competition
The creative writing group, supported by Prison Arts Foundation (PAF), based at HMP Magilligan have gained a reputation for achievement in writing competitions such as Listowel Writers Week and Koestler Arts Awards.
2020Speak Out! Launch
2020 launch event to mark International Women’s Day NIACRO
2020John Hewitt Festival
Going Equipped with a Pen – A recording of poems written by students from the Prison Arts Foundation
2019Davis House Nesting Lapwing
Prison Arts Foundation ‘Art Installation’ Davis House
2019Brian Keenan visits HMP Magilligan
Brian Keenan Magilligan Prison visit delivers message of ‘great hope and encouragement’