Buzz Alexander, of "Is William Martinez Not Our Brother?," Discusses Prison Art Project at UM Press Author Series Event

Author Buzz Alexander, professor of English Language and Literature at the University of Michigan and 2005 Carnegie National Professor of the Year, will be speaking and signing books as a part of the UM Press Author Series on Wednesday, November 3rd.

With four experienced inmates and experts on the Michigan prison system, Alexander will discuss his latest book, Is William Martinez Not Our Brother? - a detailed account of origins and development of the Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP). Serving prison and juvenile detention center inmates since its inception, PCAP provides incarcerated men and women with an opportunity to produce art and express themselves through a creative outlet.

Accompanying Alexander will be director at the American Friends Service Committee, Natalie Holbrook;  PCAP artist and illustrator of Is William Martinez Not Our Brother?, Ronald Rohn; and formerly incarcerated poet and member of the PCAP Linkage Exhibition, Michelle Southers. Also attending is Stacy Barker, a returned citizen after more than 20 years in prison and volunteer at the Girls Group in Ann Arbor and the Westland Youth Assistance Program.

The discussion, book sale and signing will be held at 7 p.m. in the University of Michigan Hatcher Graduate Library Gallery/Room 100.

The UM Press Author Series features a range of distinguished writers, including military historian and author of Lost Eagles: One Man's Mission to Find Missing Airmen in Two World Wars, Blaine Pardoe, on December 7th.