FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 15, 2002 Media Contact: Lea Nickless Verrecchia 305-375-5362   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   ARTCARE:  Art Project for Juvenile Offenders In Adult Jails EXHIBITION OPENING FEBRUARY 1, 2002, 6-10pm   The public is invited to the opening of an exhibition documenting the project ArtCARE:  Outreach to Juveniles in Adult Jails on February 1, 2002, 6-10 pm. The exhibition will run through March 26, 2002.  It will take place at Casa Grande Cultural Center, Casa Grande Cultural Center, 104 SW 9th Street, Miami, Florida. For additional information call 305-375-5362.  For directions to the exhibition, visit the website www.cortada.com. The exhibition opening will include an unveiling of the collaborative mural titled  Convictim by Xavier Cortada with youth input and assistance. Photographs of the youth by Tim Walker, videos of the youth speaking and performing, and various other installations relating to the project will also be on view.  Information and charts on the direct file will be available. During November and December 2001, Miami artist Xavier Cortada worked with 140 juvenile offenders aged 14 - 18 who are incarcerated at Turner Guilford Knight Corrections Facility waiting to be tried or sentenced as   adults. After the exhibition, the Convictim mural will be installed in the lobby of the Office of the Public Defender. ArtCARE: Outreach to Juveniles in Adult Jails is a collaborative effort of The Office of the Public Defender and Miami-Dade Art in Public Places.  ###