JustArts Gallery
Tulsa, OK
Elevating the creative voices of people confined to carceral institutions across the US.
MessageCollection: Kenneth Reams
My journey into leather craft began after spending 31 years in solitary confinement. Ironically, it was when I was told I could no longer possess traditional art supplies in prison that I discovered a new artistic outlet: designing leather goods.
Though I was denied brushes, paint, and canvas, I still had access to paper and pencil. I used them to sketch my ideas—backpacks, totes, shoulder bags, clutch purses, and travel pouches. I watched from afar as leather makers worked, learning how simple tools—mallets, punches, needles—could shape raw material into something meaningful.
That curiosity turned into vision. I began carefully designing my own pieces, which others brought to life by hand. The moment I saw my first custom-designed backpack realized, I felt something I hadn’t experienced before—even after years of painting, sculpting, and building. I felt connected to the material. Leather became not just a medium, but a message.
From solitary confinement to the world outside, this collection is a continuation of my art—wearable, functional, and deeply personal.
Each custom design in the Kenneth Reams Collection is crafted from high-quality leather and reflects artistic craftsmanship, thoughtful detailing, and distinctive character. Every finished piece speaks for itself through its careful design and unique story.
View more of Kenneth's artwork here.
