Denver Muralist Helps Transform Lives of Incarcerated Youth with Art

DENVER (NEXSTAR) — A Denver artist is using the power of creating art to help give incarcerate youth some fresh perspective.

“I think that art can be a tool,” said Jolt, a life-long artist and creator of the Guerilla Garden.

For Jolt, art has been a part of his life since he was a child. His father was an artist, and his grandmother was an art teacher with Denver Public Schools.

He credits art with saving his life, and now he uses it in hopes of saving the lives of others.

“A lot of the friends and family from my neighborhood, a lot of these guys aren’t around,” Jolt said. “A lot of them went different paths and for me, this art. It kept me on the right path.”

Through Guerilla Garden, Jolt visits jails to work with incarcerated youth using art as a way to give back to their communities in a positive way.

“We get the kids day passes to leave and we create murals in the communities where they caught their case,” Jolt said.

Jolt says that the lessons learned through creating murals can help provide a big picture view of life and second chances.

“Step back, look at the bigger picture. Take into account everybody involved in creating this picture,” Jolt said. “If you mess up you can fix it. It’s okay, it’s not too late.”