Willie Jackson interviewed by Pablo Garcia
Pablo Garcia (00:02): Okay, good evening. This is Pablo coming to you from Shawangunk Correctional Facility on July 13, 2023 at approximately 7:08 PM. I'm here with-
Willie Jackson (00:12): Willie Jackson. I'm here at Shawangunk Correctional Facility and we are doing this interview.
Pablo Garcia (00:20): Okay, Mr. Willie Jackson. What's your preferred name, Willie or Jackson?
Willie Jackson (00:25): Well normally I go by Jackson.
Pablo Garcia (00:27): All right Mr. Jackson. Now before we answer the questions, let me ask you, um, how long have you been a part of this Wave arts program?
Willie Jackson (00:40): Have I ever been part of this program?
Pablo Garcia (00:41): Yes.
Willie Jackson (00:42): Uh, no, this is, this is my first time, this is my first time, uh, entering this program, and I would like to learn more about this program.
Pablo Garcia (00:52): And how many, how many weeks have you been in this program so far?
Willie Jackson (00:55): Roughly three to four weeks I've been in this program and it has showed me a lot so far.
Pablo Garcia (01:01): I see. I see. As- as one of your fellows here, it seems like you're actually enjoying it and you're getting right in tune from the very first day. So let's get to these, some of these questions here.
Willie Jackson (01:12): Okay.
Pablo Garcia (01:12): What was something you hoped to learn before entering this program a... Go ahead.
Willie Jackson (01:16): Uh, I was hoping to learn, before I entered this program, uh, to be more creative and to learn different things. Not in just art itself, but as in being able to communicate with others.
Pablo Garcia (01:34): So do you feel by communicating with others it helps to bring out your, the untapped creative potential?
Willie Jackson (01:43): Right. I mean, someone, being able to communicate with someone can tap into yourself. And when you tap into yourself, you're able to learn more things. Not only grasp from what they have, but also open up what you have in your own mind.
Pablo Garcia (02:00): Okay. So, so far within these past few weeks, what has surprised you since you've entered this program?
Willie Jackson (02:07): Well what surprised me is that (laughs) a lot of people are a little more advanced than me, but, and I always thought I was Michelangelo. So I-
Pablo Garcia (02:16): (laughs)
Willie Jackson (02:16): ... mean, yes, this class is great.
Pablo Garcia (02:20): 'Kay. So when you say little more advance, uh, do you, do you feel like you're an artist after seeing these other creators?
Willie Jackson (02:31): Yes. I mean, I- I watch people's, uh, artwork. I mean, I've seen someone take tape and- and make pipes out of it, and it looked... into like the corner of the room and assembled the whole thing. Within two weeks they assembled the whole thing, not only with color, but in definition and I thought that was amazing. It would probably take me a little longer, but it definitely helped me open up my mind.
Pablo Garcia (03:00): That's good. Most- most people would probably be discouraged, but it just makes you want to, uh, be a little bit more ambitious towards these creative goals then, I'm assuming?
Willie Jackson (03:10): Right. I always, I always was like that. I always, uh, pushed myself. If I saw something, and I felt that I can always reach it. And if I didn't reach it, I'll keep doing it until I do reach it.
Pablo Garcia (03:25): That's really good. All right. So, uh, how did your experience in this class compare to what you expected?
Willie Jackson (03:31): Well, my experience in this class has, uh, showed me that others are willing to work with each other. Within the past art classes I took like, for example, in hight school, it was like you was off on your own and you never had that- that, that togetherness. Just, you have more togetherness here. Everybody's like a family here. It's- it's wonderful.
Pablo Garcia (03:58): All right. So, uh, so I believe you're saying pretty much that, uh, art is, you- you- you appreciate the community that comes with this art, in general.
Willie Jackson (04:10): Oh, yes, I definitely, I definitely appreciate it, because, uh, you know, with- with you guys, with you guys being here in this class and helping me, and the instructors that's helping us, and we're able to get the tools that were needed to actually create our creativity, to bring it out I think is wonderful.
Pablo Garcia (04:35): So this kind of correlates to the next question I'm about to ask you. Basically, what does this space offer you that differs from other spaces you've been a part of?
Willie Jackson (04:43): Uh, this- this, like I said, this offers me a opportunity to work with others that other places did not offer that. They did not offer you were able to work with other people, learn from other people. Like everybody is not always doing the same thing, or, and if they are doing the same thing, you would say, "Wow, he did it differently than I did. Maybe I can use what he done to make mines better." So you kinda take some of the artwork that other people have done and take their creativity and put it with yours, and it's a masterpiece.
Pablo Garcia (05:26): So for our audience that's listening, we're in the Shawangunk Correctional Facility-
Willie Jackson (05:31): That's correct.
Pablo Garcia (05:32): ... which is basically prison. So you're saying that this program, this Wave Arts, uh, program, it differs from almost any program that they hold here because there's, you- you feel like this is more community-based.
Willie Jackson (05:47): Yes, this is very community orientated, uh, far as being able to work with others, being able to work with the instructors and guiding you in the right direction. Um, like I said, even in the street in high school, it was a little different. Of course it was earlier in my prime, but (laughs) I feel as I'm getting older it still allows us to open up our minds, because there's no age on creativity.
Pablo Garcia (06:19): So is there anything that you anticipate in the future for this class? Any maybe projects that you may wanna work on or just anything in general that you anticipate for this class in the future?
Willie Jackson (06:28): Well, I was, I was working, I was working on a, I was working on a chair. And the reason why I picked working on a chair, and I'm learning from it, because that was something I failed when I was in art class before. I was un, I was unable to create a chair, a nice, sturdy, woven chair. I was unable-
Pablo Garcia (06:49): (laughs)
Willie Jackson (06:50): ... to create (laughs) that, and that has been bothering me for years and haunting me. So, um-
Pablo Garcia (06:54): So you're gonna come back with a vengeance with that chair?
Willie Jackson (06:56): Right. Right, um, now I gotta get it right. I gotta get it right. With this-
Pablo Garcia (06:59): Right.
Willie Jackson (06:59): With the help I have now, yes, I have to get it right, 'cause-
Pablo Garcia (07:04): All right. So- so, so I'm sorry to cut you off, but we only got a couple of seconds left. So is there anything, any last words or- or, or projects, or anything that you would like to say to our listeners?
Willie Jackson (07:14): Yes. Um, I thank you guys. I thank you guys for putting this together, giving us the opportunity, even in the situation that we're in. It definitely helped me and I believe it'll help others in the future. And we're gonna continue to- to pound it out in this class, and- and get things right.
Pablo Garcia (07:33): You heard him loud and clear, Mr. Willie Jackson telling you he's coming back with a vengeance with that chair. To you guys out there, later.