Peace Out from former director Aaron Counts

This week is bittersweet. I am leaving my role at Creative Justice, a position which I have held since CJ was just an idea—back when we called it Creative Alternatives. Bitter because I love CJ and the people involved, sweet because it means I get to spend time as an artist again.

I am immensely proud of what Creative Justice has become. Back in 2014-2015 when we were building the program, I thought this would be a cool 1-year project to work on that was right in line with my values, skills and interests. I had no concept of what it could become 6+ years later.  

What I hope is that for even just a few folks, Creative Justice has taught them—as it did me—to really look at the policies and practices we allow our institutions to employ in the name of “the public” and reclaim our place as members of that public. The public is us.

In the early days of Creative Justice, we worked to redefine public art not just as an installation, mural, sculpture paid for and to be viewed by King County residents, but as the art that lives within the people themselves—especially our most vulnerable, marginalized friends, family and neighbors. In lifting up their ideas and creativity, we amplify voices that are too often muted, paving the way for a more equitable region in which we can all live more freely.

Since moving into independence from 4C’s umbrella, we have worked even harder to make Creative Justice a youth-driven, community-centered healing space. We have gotten bolder in our advocacy and in our work to tear down the school-to-prison-pipeline. Law-and-order advocates often speak about “public safety” in their calls for more police, stronger jails, and more stringent laws. But public safety is not protecting some of us from others of us—it really is about helping all of us live our lives with more security, more opportunity to thrive.

Creative Justice would not be what it is today without strong advocates and advisors, as well as plenty of people making the work happen. An incomplete list follows, with apologies to those I don’t name individually.

First and foremost the youth. Far too many to name, but especially the original (first generation) youth leadership board Faisal Provincial, Jazmine Speed, Nani Commodore, Delino Olebar, John Leota, Mila Daka, Kookie Vivao, Marcus Lawson and the incredible genius of Joyee Runninghawk and Kardea Buss – who are as responsible as anyone for the success of Creative Justice.

The No New Youth Jail Coalition for the early labor and commitment to our young people that made a concept like CJ even the slightest bit fathomable. Jordan Howland for the incredible vision into what it can and should mean to be a steward of public art funds, and Diana Falchuk for providing early support in developing the chassis we would build the program around. The entire advisory board that helped us launch, but special shout out to Katie Hurley for reshaping the idea of what a public defender can and should be. Heidi Jackson for her love of the youth and the never-wavering support and guidance in moving CJ from a program of 4Culture into independence.

I am humbled by all the amazing artists I have had the pleasure to work with: Shontina Vernon, Otieno Terry, Daemond Arrindell, Olisa Enrico, Khazm Kogita, Jamil Suleman, Jojo Gaon, Delton Mosby, Silas Black, Naa Akua, Rell Be Free, Jace Ecaj, Dalisha Phillips, Momma Nikki Etienne, Azai Counts, Max Moodie, Daniel Robinson, Dan Paz and so many others as special guests and visitors.

I leave Creative Justice in the insanely capable hands of Nikkita Oliver, whom all of you know. KO has helped me grow and sharpened my analysis, they have been my sibling, confidant, therapist and corner-person for the past 5+ years. With an entirely new organizational structure, near-term financial security, the widest community support in the organization’s history, and Nikkita at the helm, I know good things are coming.  

In the past 6 years, Creative Justice has shown work at MOHAI, Hedreen Gallery, Gallery 4C, Art/Not Terminal, City Hall, Seattle Public Library, Washington Hall, 2312 Gallery and other locations.

Youth Leaders have taught workshops for Sno-Isle Libraries, Everett Community College, Seattle Public Schools, City of Seattle’s RSJI. We have presented the program to artists and arts administrators in Chicago at the Open Engagement conference and New York for the College Art Association.

We have advocated for change to youth Miranda rights, we have worked in coalition to successfully liberate funds from the City’s budget to be spent directly with community-based safety solutions, to secure young people’s right to counsel, and to develop new community-held alternatives to traditional probation.

But the entire work was about keeping young people out of jail, in community, surrounded by people who know and care about them, envisioning a future in which we all can thrive, and doing so with the power of art.

Beautiful. Can’t wait to see what you all do next.

All my best,

AC