Madelon Powers Gallery to Present Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration

East Stroudsburg University’s Madelon Powers Gallery will present ” Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration” by artist, Mark Loughney from Wednesday, November 6 – Friday, December 6. The exhibit will feature 771 portraits of incarcerated people on paper to raise awareness on prison reform.

­­­Hours for the gallery, located in the university’s Fine and Performing Arts Building, Normal and Marguerite streets, are Monday – Friday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. A reception for the artist will be held Wednesday, November 6 from 4-6 p.m. in the gallery. A panel discussion called “Mass Incarceration in the United States” will take place the same day in the Cohen Recital Hall from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Both the exhibit, reception, and panel discussion are open to the public at no cost.

Loughney’s work shines a critical light on the complex issue of mass incarceration, tracing its roots to the lingering legacies of slavery. Through a thoughtful examination of contributing factors—such as the closure of mental health facilities and the criminal justice system’s use of incarceration as a form of treatment—his work underscores the central role of capitalism in this system. Loughney highlights how private interests and profit motives have woven themselves into the fabric of society, perpetuating cycles of imprisonment for financial gain.

Curated by David Mazure, professor of art + media + design, and in collaboration with Carrie Maloney, Ph.D., professor of criminal justice, and Steve Ives, interim director of international programs, this show is generously supported by FDR Grow-It Grant, Art + Media + Design Department, International Programs, Frederick Douglass Institute, College of Arts and Science, Office of the Provost, and the Sociology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice Department.

For more information on the exhibit or reception, contact esuarts@esu.edu or call (570) 422-3694 or email kdevine5@esu.edu.

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