MEDIA ALERT: Mass Incarceration: Healing through Community and Art with Toni Picasso – An Illinois Humanities Envisioning Justice Activation Event

BLOOMINGTON, January 27, 2024 — Illinois Humanities will present Mass Incarceration: Healing through Community and Art with Toni Picasso, the next event in its Envisioning Justice Activation Series, on January 27 at McLean County Arts Center, 601 N East St, Bloomington, IL 61701, from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. CST. Antonio L. Burton, also known as "Toni Picasso" will lead the discussion with his art and music. Burton’s work interrogates the impacts of incarceration on those who are incarcerated and those left behind — particularly children.

The Envisioning Justice Activation Series engages the artists, educators, and organizers behind Envisioning Justice RE:ACTION–the program’s dynamic virtual exhibition–to create opportunities for us to reimagine timely conversations about justice, safety, community, and belonging. Each event is hosted in partnership with local nonprofit organizations and community groups that are dedicated to the social, cultural, and economic well-being of their communities. 

Burton is a native of Decatur, Illinois. In 2012, Antonio earned a bachelor’s in 2-D Design with an emphasis in painting from Eastern Illinois University. Since then he has hit the ground running, laying a foundation in his field of study as a freelance artist in both Illinois and Missouri. 

This free, family-friendly event is hosted by McLean County Arts Center, BCAI Cultural Arts & Humanities, Creative Healing Art Therapy, Illinois Art Station, and Not In Our Town Bloomington-Normal. Free food and drinks are provided. RSVP is required. 

The Envisioning Justice Activation Series will continue with free public events through November. Learn more and find an event near you at ILHumanities.org/ActivationSeries.