by Stew Mosberg

Cheri-Carpenter-Silva, proprietor of The Clothes Horse, believes in second chances. It is evident in the consignment clothing hanging alongside the latest in new fashion. It is also apparent in the store’s one-of-a-kind T-shirts that, while appealing to fashion conscious women, ultimately help make positive changes in the lives of those who create them.

Down a steep flight of stairs at the corner of 8th and Main, the new apparel store was opened by Carpenter-Silva in April, offering an eclectic array of new and “gently used” styles. The store recently took on an aptly named line of T-shirts called “CleanWear,” bearing graphic designs made by prison inmates. How the line came to be sold at The Clothes Horse is as uplifting as it is unusual.

Inspired by their son Josh, who is incarcerated on a drug charge, Jerry and Natalie Abshier, of Longmont, started CleanWear to provide him with a positive outlet for his artwork. They hope, too, that it will give him a career when he’s released from prison in 2013.

By way of explanation, and clearly in touch with her stepson’s situation, Natalie Abshier reflected on Josh’s drug abuse, “I think he thought he always had to be high to be creative, and maybe the one good thing that prison has taught him is that his best artwork has been since he’s been in prison.”

Two years ago, Natalie decided to print a few T-shirts using designs he had drawn. Those few screened T-shirts grew to be a few thousand when the Abshiers opened “The Department of Clothing,” their boutique in downtown Longmont. Today, the Abshiers receive artwork from inmates around the country.

The couple not only made a commitment to help their son, but also to make a difference in their community; with an emphasis on drug abuse awareness. A percentage of the gross sales from clothing, accessories and artwork are donated to community outreach programs, such as the Colorado Meth Project. Artwork also benefits the friends and family of the artists who otherwise have little to be hopeful for during long periods of incarceration.

By producing art and knowing it is being put to good use, the artists are given an opportunity to express their creativity in a positive way while gaining a sense of accomplishment for their efforts. It can be crucial to becoming a contributing member of society.

CleanWear, as described on its website, “Is all about the human spirit, our resiliency and the sustainability of our lives; CleanWear is about helping people realize their potential. We understand that we all make choices in life and sometimes those choices are just plain bad. We recognize human fallibility and more importantly the need for forgiveness. Our mission is not about knocking someone when they’re down, but extending a hand to help them up.”

Dina Schmitt, CleanWear’s Director of Business Development, said there are about 25 different artists from various prisons in Colorado, Oregon and West Virginia that have worked on the design motifs. The artists learned about the program through other inmates or from family members who heard about CleanWear on television or in news articles.

After receiving a letter of interest from an artist, the company sends them an artwork submission form that explains the process and pay method. “When they send us a piece of art,” says Schmitt, “we review it and decide if it will fit within our clothing line or in our gallery at our store in Longmont.” If they decide to keep the art, they pay the artist through the JPay system, whereby money is transferred into an account outside the facility. Money “earned” can be used to pay restitution and/or to buy things from the commissary.

While The Clothes Horse is testing customer interest, it only carries a few T-shirt designs, but CleanWear has men’s and women’s shirts as well as clothing for children 3 months to 5 years old.

Carpenter-Silva says The Clothes Horse decided to carry CleanWear because of the quality and the valuable message it sends to both customers and inmates. When first exposed to the apparel and the concept, she took an immediate interest and quickly wrote an order.

 

Exhibiting optimism and pride, Natalie Abshier says her stepson’s passion has always been artwork, and he now has hope that upon his release he will actually be able to make a living doing what he loves to do. “Being involved with CleanWear,” she says, “has given him and many other inmates a sense of purpose that they may not have otherwise had.”

 

For more on CleanWear, visit www.cleanwearfashion.com.