Keith Andrews

“I want to leave a beautiful legacy not only for me and my family, but my community that I took and hurt from…Art is my voice and I will never take it for granted again just like time… Hopefully the day will come when I get a second chance at life, a chance at redemption but until then I will always continue to work hard and do the right thing.” Keith Andrews, artist

Keith Andrews is a 45-year-old artist serving a life sentence that began at the age of 18. The artist grew up in the Logan section of Philadelphia with his grandparents and mother. Over his 27 years in prison, Keith has dedicated his time and energy to mentoring young, imprisoned men, using his story to inspire them to make better life choices. Through his paintings, Keith pours his deepest thoughts and feelings into each work, finding a sense of freedom that reminds him of life before incarceration. As a father and grandfather, he is committed to creating a legacy for future generations. Art is his way of changing the narrative and positively investing in his community, embodying his desire to inspire and advocate for social justice reform. 

A passionate artist since the 3rd grade, Keith has found solace and expression in painting, which has helped him navigate the challenges of incarceration. Although he is a quiet individual, his art speaks loudly, serving as his voice to inspire and educate, to build bridges and to break chains.  Keith wants his viewers to understand that his prison sentence does not define who he is. He received his GED in prison and uses his free time to study other artists to better his own work. Constantly growing, learning, and striving to be a better version of himself everyday, Keith has given back to his community in many ways and chooses to use his talent to brighten up the lives of those around him.