Tin Roof Productions

THE BEGINNING

22 years ago, a Colorado Springs teenager made a terrible mistake. He took the life of another human being. Incarcerated since he was 18 years old, Cedric Martin has had 22 years to come to terms with the harm he caused by his actions and brokenness.

In Cedric's words: "I am proud to be from Colorado Springs. I love my city. In 2000, at the age of 18, I committed murder and I hurt my city. There was and is no justification. I have borne the guilt and shame for 22 years and I've spent the remaining time that I've been incarcerated not trying to rectify what I did, which can't be done, but seeking to ensure, in the event of my release, that I can be a source of healing for my city."

THE MIDDLE

Unfortunately, our prison system is not designed to help people heal and change. Cedric has had to do that himself. Through 10+ years in solitary confinement, Cedric taught himself to draw and he held onto his humanity by making art for others. You can see his journey here, Cedric Martin on the Value of Art in Prison, where he talks about the value of art on the inside. Two weeks ago, Cedric was approved by the Colorado state parole board for release - and that's where you come in!

WILL YOU HELP COMPLETE THE STORY?

With his upcoming release from prison, Tin Roof Productions needs your help to ensure Cedric has the tools in his hands to make powerful, healing art on the outside. As the founder of Tin Roof Productions, and as a Ph.D. student in Criminology, I know that it takes strong community support to get someone on their feet when they come out of prison. It takes time and intention to partner with a person so that he can be a source of healing to the community that he hurt.

Will you help "turn what should be a miserable, awful situation into something...

life-giving"?

Working in the arts behind bars since 2015, Tin Roof Productions has worked closely with Cedric over the past six years of his incarceration to write letters and articles, mail books to him, and share his art. Earlier this year, TRP paired him with several professional artists for mentoring. When he comes out, he will begin a job as an Artist Intern with TRP, working with three Colorado Springs artists - Jana Bussanich; Chris Alvarez; and Steve Wood of Concrete Couch - so that he can, in his own words, "add to the cultural bounty of my city." That's what he wants to offer more than anything: art and healing; healing and art.

P.S. We also want to make sure he has transportation to get to his job. Since Colorado Springs doesn't have the greatest bus system, we plan to buy an eBike and fit it out for him.

HOW IT WORKS / KEEP IN TOUCH

Everything you give (other than the small fee gofundme takes) will be used to support Cedric in his re-entry journey. As Tin Roof's inaugural Artist-in-Residence, Cedric will be sharing updates on his re-entry journey and the impact of your partnership, so sign up for email updates at www.tinroofproductions.org if you want to hear from him. And thank you. We really can't do it without you. Reach out with any questions or for more information to [email redacted]

ARTIST INTERN SUPPLIES LIST

$2,300 - MacBook Pro computer

$700 - iPhone

$350 - external hard drive

$300 - artwork scanner

$150 - misc. cables, chargers, etc.

$500 - art supplies

$4,500 - eBike with extensions and accessories

$1,200 - clothing including winter riding gear

To learn more about Cedric's story ...

https://thebigidea.nz/stories/media-releases/234990-impact-of-the-arts-behind-us-bars

Tin Roof Productions

Cedric's new website

Cedric's art internship partners:

Jana L Bussanich Art

Alvarez Gallery and Art School

Concrete Couch