Alden grew up primarily in the western United States with a year in New Zealand. She is an entirely self taught artist with no formal training. At the age of 46, a career criminal, who preyed upon women for money, insinuated himself into her life and began a campaign of systematic, escalating terror. After 7 months of inept local law enforcement involvement, Ms Alden was forced to defend herself and her children with deadly force. Thirteen years into a fifteen sentence, the Utah state legislature completed a sentencing audit and ordered her immediate release. Documents stated she should not have been kept beyond five years.

During Ms Alden’s incarceration, she embraced the art of crochet as a sculpting medium and honed her drawing style. Her work was split primarily between maintaining a connection with loved ones, and providing pieces for fundraisers. The focus of which were domestic violence, rape crisis, and the homeless population. Upon release, an abundance of art related opportunities had arisen, largely through the support of JAC. When Ms Alden found post incarceration housing and jobs to be out of reach, she took a tent into the desert and began the Desert Fish House project. While currently the focus is personal shelter, a series of sculptures/buildings are in the works as workshop and camping spaces. Retreats will focus on the transformative process of healing trauma through creativity.

Contact: Yale Women’s Center; wcboard.mailman.yale.edu