Beyond the Fence

“BEYOND THE FENCE”

An Art Show by the inmates at Carteret Correctional Center &

Pamlico Correctional Institute

Opening Reception

Monday, May 4, 2026, 3:00PM

The public is invited to view the show beginning May 5^th during regular Gallery hours, Tuesday thru Saturday, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

The show will run through Saturday, May 16.

100% of the proceeds from the sale of this art will be donated to charity

Show is sponsored by the ARTS COUNCIL OF CARTERET COUNTY

The show will be judged by Debra Stinson, a former member of the Carolina Artists Gallery and supporter of the first Beyond the Fence art show concept.

Judge’s Statement

I am not an art major.  I never thought I would do art, and that was the case when I worked as an intern in Newport at the prison.  The NC Department of Correction was recruiting college students.  Two hundred fifty or so applied, and thirty-eight were hired to work across North Carolina.  I was the first woman to work at the Newport prison, and one of my responsibilities was to set up programs for the inmates.  I set up programs, but none of them were dealing with art because I didn’t know anything about art! 

I became a teacher with one elementary education art class.  Thank goodness, we had real art teachers in the school!  When I retired from teaching, I took some classes, but painting was just a hobby--a very challenging one. Then there was an outreach by Carolina Artist Gallery, and Freda Kyle and Jamison Ipock gave a class.  After the class, the participants were invited to show their work at the gallery, and I was juried in.  That was a milestone for me, although I knew I was not where I needed to be talent wise. Since then, I have taken many classes.  Most recently, the instructors were Heather Sink, Gosia Tojza, Trish Adams, and J Jiang.

Art has changed my life.  Everywhere I go, I notice colors, shadows, clouds—things that I just took for granted before painting.  For that reason, I am so happy that the inmates in Carteret and Pamlico County are being given the opportunity and resources to do art.  To create something from nothing is satisfying and rewarding.  Perhaps art will change their world!

Show logo is original art created by

Gregory Petronis and Percibal Pettiford

Carteret Correctional Center