Anchored in Metaphors

At the end of fall 2025, Alexandra Lombardi ’28 painted the mural “Breaking Unbreakable Chains” near Pitzer’s Gold Student Center pool. Her piece draws inspiration from the Inside-Out program, hosted by the Justice Education Center at The Claremont Colleges. Inside-Out classes create space for incarcerated “inside” individuals to learn alongside “outside” Claremont Colleges students.

Read an excerpt of Lombardi’s artist statement, which has been edited for length and clarity:

“The mural features links of anchor chains, painted in blue. The breaking chain then turns into seeds that are being sown into a small plant. The background is a gradient of yellows to reds. This color choice is to allow the chain to stand out since they are complimentary colors. It is also meant to impose a specific mood that can be interpreted as either hopeful or important.

The chain breaking is supposed to represent what the Inside-Out program does for both inside and outside students. For outside students, the anchor chain represents being ‘anchored’ in their preconceived notions of the prison industrial complex. The chain breaking represents the process of taking classes within the Inside-Out program. Taking an Inside-Out class allows you to break out of the homogenized ideology of incarceration and learn incredible things from brilliant minds you otherwise would never have had the chance of meeting. The plant growing is a metaphor for becoming a better critical thinker, a more empathetic person. 

For inside students, the anchor chain represents being stuck in place. The chain breaking represents breaking the cycle that mass incarceration causes and, in turn, sowing seeds into a brighter future where you can ‘water your own garden.’ Additionally, the program also allows inside students to build networks of students and faculty, which can sometimes lead to job opportunities and further education.”

Lombardi plans to pursue a combined political studies and sociology major with a minor in art. In her free time, she loves painting, embroidery, creating music with friends, and exploring nature.