Produced and published by CITYarts, edited by Tsipi Ben-Haim, CITYarts Founder, Executive & Creative Director. Contributions by Judge Kevin H. Sharp, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Kevin McKiernan, Malcolm MacKinnon, Susan Harris, Laura Pimlott, Wendy Nadler, and James H. Reynolds.

"I want to feel the sun on my skin…" These were the words of American Indian artist Leonard Peltier, a plea to President Biden after nearly five decades of wrongful imprisonment. On January 20, 2025, that plea was finally heard—his sentence was commuted, bringing an end to an unjust chapter in American history. When I said to him: "I'm sorry your life was stolen" Leonard replied immediatly "But not wasted, many changes happened to my people, from the prison cell."

Leonard Peltier – Art Behind Bars: Dreams of Freedomis more than a book; it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Within its pages, 126 of his breathtaking paintings come to life—vivid expressions born within the confines of a cold cell, sustaining him through the darkness. His imagination as expressed through his art, a beacon of hope, kept him alive as he endured nearly five decades of imprisonment for a crime he did not commit.

This book is dedicated to Former Federal District Court Chief Judge Kevin H. Sharp, a relentless advocate for justice who has championed Leonard’s cause, working pro bono to secure his long-overdue release.

But this book is more than Leonard’s story and art—it is a call to action. Through the years, an extraordinary chorus of voices has demanded justice: James H. Reynolds, the very U.S. attorney who once prosecuted Peltier, later called for his release. World leaders and cultural icons including Nelson Mandela, Peter Coyote, Robert Redford, Willie Nelson, Connie Nelson, Sheron Wyant-Leonard, Dorothy Ninham, Barbara Kopple, Danny DeVito, and Pope Francis, among others, have all joined in the movement.

Now is the time to rise. When justice calls, do not remain silent answer with action! Stand up, even when the struggle is not your own, for the fight against injustice belongs to us all.

The “How You Can Help” section of this book should serve as a beacon of hope, a testament to the power of art and unity. The people of Mother Earth joined forces, stood against injustice, and triumphed. An injustice to one is an injustice to all, and the future rests in our hands.

Let us rise together, not only to confront the evils of today but to light the way for the next generation of leaders. It is our responsibility to show them the path, to inspire courage, and to ensure that justice always prevails. Draw inspiration from Leonard’s art—his vision of freedom. Continue the fight for justice not just for Leonard but for all people who deserve justice.

- Tsipi Ben-Haim, Concept Creator & Editor