On November 14, The Fortune Society’s Creative Arts community unveiled its second exhibition at MoMA PS1, titled Future Freedoms. The exhibition is on view in Homeroom, a program at MoMA PS1 that amplifies artists from community-based organizations, until March 2025.   

Future Freedoms marks the culmination of a four-year collaboration between Fortune and MoMA PS1, featuring self-portraits, garments, pennants, sculptures, a music video and more. It offers a deep exploration of the impact of incarceration and the necessary healing that follows. Created with artists Jenny Polak and Laura Cerón Melo as part of the Creatives Rebuild New York initiative, the art on view demonstrates the power of creativity to imagine more just collective futures. 

As a practice of self-expression through garment making, Alondra, a contributing artist, created a powerful patchwork piece. She shared that the garment embodies her healing journey, taking inspiration from those in her community and the impact they have had on her life.  

“It’s not clean, it’s very messy. It represents the human experience and the parts of us that we pick up from other people… We internalize those things and project them. It’s a representation of, I feel like, my life.” 

Alondra is immensely grateful for the opportunity to share her artwork beyond the Fortune community. She hopes the exhibition will encourage people to look at formerly incarcerated individuals with a new, more understanding perspective.   

Last Saturday, the Creative Arts community hosted an opening event for Future Freedoms at MoMA PS1. Many of the exhibition’s contributing artists were present for a poetry reading and a congratulatory toast, joined by friends, family, Fortune staff and other New Yorkers.  

Ben, an artist and Fortune poet, shared an original poem, called “Future Freedoms” about his aspirations for the future. He spoke about building confidence, unlearning previously harmful behaviors and recognizing his worth. Ben is proud to serve as a voice for many other vulnerable individuals in his community and to uplift their stories through his art.  

“Not everyone who gets incarcerated is a bad person or wants to be incarcerated,” Ben said. “Sometimes, we have to decide between something bad and something even worse. I want people to learn to be less judgmental and understand how we ended up where we did. Sometimes, people just don’t know a way out.” 

Lily, Policy Counsel at the David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy, was inspired by the exhibition. She found it exhilarating, liberating and transformative, demonstrating the resilience of people impacted by the criminal legal system through deeply moving artwork.  

“This entire exhibit… forces all of us to think about our own experiences and positions within the system, and it also requires us to be joyful. I think there’s no way to be in this space and witness all this creativity and power, and the sheer pride and joy on the artists’ faces, without sharing in that joy.” 

The exhibition touches on themes of trauma, healing, and growth, prompting visitors to look inward and reconsider the narratives imposed on those affected by the criminal legal system. Another visitor, Dorah, learned more about the formerly incarcerated population and reflected on the unique and powerful stories on display.  

The exhibition will remain on view through March 24, 2025. MoMA PS1 is located at 22-25 Jackson Avenue in Long Island City. The museum is open from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Thursday through Monday. 

Presenting artists include: Nadene Isis Richardson, Alondra Angulo, Norianne Rosado, Clemese Jack, Ben Villaronga, Kevin Gray, Joshua Ruby Torres, Tiffany “Sassii” Amezquita, Jax, Julia Cordova, George “Ghost” Boldin, Monora Vital, Ingrid Fermin, Gerard Tanella, Hilton N. Webb, Jr, Nestor “Panama” Eversley, Stanley Eldridge, Ryan “Blustone” Bennett, Becky Jane Dunham, Marvin Wade, Helen Taylor, Erobos Abzu Lamashtu, Raymond Benekin, Chaniah Flicking, L. Miriam Hansberry, Maria Hazelton, Devin Hughes, Sarah Moreno, Jake Pankey, Queen Robinson, Desiree Soto, Demaris Cordero, Sarah Murphy, Susan Hammill, Nadezda Steele-Warrick, Ciara Martinez, Anonymous, Jennifer Martinez, Marcus Brown, Tyquan Curwen, Kerry Herndon, Jenny Polak and Laura Cerón Melo. 

Participating Fortune Staff Members include: Daniel Kelly, Mario Wright, Cinthia Pimentel, Mike Jean, Lymus Rivera, Laron Rogers, Vilma Ortiz Donovan, John Runowicz, Kirsten Olsen, Jamie Maleszka-Tate, Jessica Laubriel, and Michele Gantt.