Helena, Montana 59601 

This two year project has been a huge, wonderful and challenging learning experience.  If I were able to rename the project I would call it "Honoring the Spirit of All Women".  The project has impacted many of the people involved.  It has grown in scope and exceeded my hopes and expectations.  All of the objectives in the proposal have been met and many additional objectives were undertaken in the course of the project.  The following are the accomplishments that were part of the proposal as well those that were completed in addition:

Accomplishments that were part of the proposal

                 ·        Three arches were constructed which connect thematically as well                       as visually.

• The "Great Mother Arch" is in the Visitor's courtyard.

                  ·        The "Loving Mother Arch" is in the Parenting Module courtyard.

• The "All Women Are Role Models Arch" is in front of the main entrance to the prison.
• Two workshops were completed that encouraged the personal growth of the women of the prison:

              o                   Jennifer Thompson led the creative expression                                                     workshops which were well received by the women.

  o                   Chip Clawson led clay workshops in which the women    made tiles (40) with the names of inspirational          women.  These were placed on the "Great Mother             Arch".

• Ceramic masks were also made in these workshops. The masks reveal beauty, pain and insight.
• 238 nominations of inspirational women were made.
• 205 different inspirational women were nominated.
• The names of 189 inspirational women are on the arches.
• The workshops provided a way for the women to connect to and have ownership in the project and the art.
• Books were donated to the prison library and the women used them as references to nominate inspirational women for inclusion on the arches.
• A bibliography of autobiographies, biographies and other books was placed in the library.

                  ·        The art presents a "strong, positive, feminine image".·        The art is                               visually attractive and will help create a "more humane environment                   of distinction and enjoyment".

• The arches are very durable and will require no regular maintenance other than annual inspection of grout.

                  ·        The "Loving Mother Arch" provides a place to play for children                           visiting their mothers. 

• The prison staff and the women of the prison provided a friendly working environment for the artist.

Accomplishments outside the proposal.

• An additional four session clay workshop was offered. This workshop challenged the women to create a piece of ceramic art that embodied the idea of "strong, positive and feminine". This workshop was very successful and the results showed that the women grasped the concept with vigor and understanding.
• The women of the prison were involved in steering committee meetings. They determined the criteria for the nomination of inspirational women and made other decisions.
• The women of the additional workshop were able, but not required, to work on the construction of the arches that are inside the prison. They helped with mixing and pouring concrete and the grouting.
• Workshops in other fields were arranged to encourage personnel growth.
• Jeff Blend presented a yoga workshop.
• Linda Bassingthwaighte presented a meditation workshop.
• Sue Kronenberger and Beverly Fox presented a theater and writing workshop.
• A dedication ceremony was held for the women of the prison. It was a warm, heartfelt event which 70 women of the prison attended.
• A public dedication was held and about 50 people were able to enter the prison for the ceremony.
• Seven women of the prison spoke at both events and were able to relate what the project meant to them. This was very important and rewarding to me. At the beginning of this project it was my hope that the project would have impact and meaning. As these women spoke in public, I knew that the project had had a positive effect.
• The Choir of the Montana Women's Prison sang "Somebody's Hero" by Jamie O'Neal at both dedications.
• A show of 35 masks from the first clay workshops was installed at the Bill McIntosh Gallery in Billings. They will be installed permanently in the prison by the artist following completion of the public show.
• Documentation includes two binders with 300+ pages of nominations of inspirational women, photographs and other information about the project. There is also a CD with photographs and other information on it. A copy of each is in the library and the warden's office. There has been unedited limited video made of the project.
• Technical drawings were reviewed and approved by a licensed Montana engineer.
• Building permit, Encroachment Easement, Right of Way Permit and Business License were obtained from the City of Billings.
• The project was inspected by the City of Billings building and right of way inspectors and approved by both.
• 4000 PSI concrete and a stress test were required for the sidewalk. Testing was done by Maxim Technologies. The concrete tested at 6270 PSI.

Construction and Maintenance

The construction of the arches is a ceramic shell filled with concrete and rebar.  Construction drawing and photographs accompany this report.  No regular maintenance is required; however the grout should be checked every year.  Should grout need to be replaced any tile installer would be able to do it.

  Respectfully submitted,

  Chip Clawson