COLUMBUS, Ohio — Kirsta Niemie Benedetti is a social impact artist. Her passion is working with underrepresented voices, including a group of incarcerated individuals at the Ohio Reformatory for Women.

The 15 women she’s working with are serving extended sentences. She said that usually means 25 years to life. Partnering with the nonprofit We Amplify Voices, she uses art projects to empower these women, showing them their potential as community members, even behind bars. 

Besides working with inmates on art projects, Benedetti has painted a portrait of each of her class participants. She collaborates with the women on each portrait, capturing their journey and reframing their thoughts and experiences.

The portraits will be exhibited at multiple locations starting with The Shot Tower Gallery in Columbus. A public reception will be held Sept. 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Benedetti hopes those who see the paintings are open to reframing their perspectives about incarcerated individuals.