“When was the last time discomfort forced a conversation you otherwise wouldn’t have had?” When this question was posed during a panel discussion at A New Way of Life’s 2023 Justice on Trial Film Festival, Sherrick Enriquez found himself mentally transported back to the trauma of incarceration. Our founder, Susan Burton, noticed his growing discomfort and encouraged him to stay to the end. Sherrick was eventually able to become grounded by healing images of freedom. Susan was intrigued by his engagement with the group, and, after learning more about him, she offered Sherrick a job with A New Way of Life’s maintenance team.
As an expression of gratitude for this opportunity, Sherrick drew a picture of Susan – sketching was his hobby, something to pass the time while incarcerated. Recognizing his talent, Susan purchased his first set of paints which allowed him to develop his craft on canvas. A New Way of Life’s management team also encouraged him to increase his skills as our artist in residence.
Along with his work in maintenance, Sherrick spent hours at our Montebello campus honing his skills. Around this time, Choreographer and Multimedia Creative Storyteller Himmeria Worthman began the process of creating a short film inspecting freedom and expression for formerly incarcerated individuals. Her first thoughts were to focus on dance, but as she toured the Montebello campus, she noticed Sherrick immersed in his work. Inspired by his art and his story, she knew she had discovered a subject for her film.
Exploring movement in brushstroke, process, and storytelling as a catalyst for expression, Worthman’s film, “Endless Echoes Within,” was screened at the Wende Museum in Culver City, CA, August 31st, 2024. When the film ended, everyone in the room felt a fervency of emotion. Just as the production explored physical movement – whether intentional or serendipitous – the audience, too, was moved. Beyond physical freedom, the film touched on emotional and mental freedom as Sherrick shared his journey as an artist, from incarceration to liberation.
Building on this experience, Sherrick has gone on to pursue art as a profession, with his paintings being featured in various exhibits. He recently completed all conditions of parole and is engaged to be married.
While Sherrick’s journey is unique, his ability to overcome the trauma of incarceration and flourish is not. When people are offered the right opportunities to develop their talents and pursue their dreams, success follows. For others like Sherrick, A New Way of Life works tirelessly to provide unique and individualized resources to set them on trajectories that lead to true freedom.
Your donation helps us continue to nurture the potential of people whose talents and skills often go unnoticed and are undervalued.
