In “The Only Door I Can Open,” the artists and curators reflect on privacy in prison — particularly, the role bunk beds play in offering a sense of seclusion. The most valued bunks, 3up/3low, are those tucked between lockers and a window, perfect for “tenting” with a privacy sheet. Bunk 1up/1low is the worst because it has no walls for privacy and with constant foot traffic that becomes a communal space where people shout, bump into the bed, and even fight.
See how bunk bed hierarchy shapes daily life in prison at “The Only Door I Can Open,” now on view Wednesday-Sunday from 11 am-5 pm.
Exhibition photos by Charlie Villyard.
“A Letter to my Bed” by Chantell-Jeannette Black is more than a poem: it’s a window into life inside prison.
Painted on a sheet, Black’s words reflect on her bed as a place of respite and a space for memories of life beyond the walls. In the corner, a tree with sparse leaves serves as a powerful symbol: “This place can destroy us, but those with strong roots can survive.”
Listen to Black read her poem and experience this deeply moving piece in “The Only Door I Can Open,” now on view Wednesday-Sunday from 11 am-5 pm.
Photos by Charlie Villyard and Corey Marsau.
Did you know that the U.S. incarcerates more women than any other country in the world?
Creative expression can be a lifeline for incarcerated women and a way to heal, build hope, and uplift their voices. Their voices and stories come to life in “The Only Door I Can Open,” an exhibition that amplifies art by currently and formerly incarcerated women through murals, paintings, and personal narratives.
Visit YBCA Wednesday-Sunday from 11 am-5 pm to uncover more untold stories and deepen your understanding of life inside.
"The Only Door I Can Open" & "If I Give You My Sorrows" trailer
🎟️ Tickets are now on sale for “The Only Door I Can Open” and “If I Give You My Sorrows”! This evocative multimedia exhibition and elegant aerial dance performance shine a light on the experiences of incarcerated women.
🖼️ Visit the exhibition when it opens Saturday, February 1 → https://bit.ly/3ZGPUsV
🎭 See the performance from January 31–February 2 → https://bit.ly/3OM3ULF
Art from “The Only Door I Can Open” includes Joanna Nixon, “Blissful Bunk Freedom,” 2024 and Grace Ward, “The Idyle Hour,” 2024.
“If I Give You My Sorrows” video courtesy of Flyaway Productions
🌟 As we step into 2025, we can’t wait to welcome you back when we reopen tomorrow, January 2 from 11 am-5 pm. Here’s to a year filled with creativity, connection, and inspiration!
Photos of exhibitions and events by Senior Manager of Educational Programs Rea Lynn de Guzman, Tommy Lau, and Vafa Khatami
Open Wednesday-Sunday from 11 am-5 pm. Free admission every Wednesday and second Sunday.
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