Warren Hynson Art

Warren Hynson’s art career began in an unlikely place—prison. Known for his bright, abstract, expressionistic paintings, he exhibited at DC’s Touchstone Gallery and had a solo show at MICA’s Rosenberg Gallery, all while incarcerated. His love for art started on school museum trips and grew in high school, where he served as art club vice president. After family conflict, he moved to Maryland, fell into drugs and the wrong crowd, and dropped out. At 17, he was involved in a burglary that turned fatal; though not the shooter, he received a life sentence under Maryland law. Battling depression in prison, he found hope through other incarcerated artists. In 2001, his sentence was reduced, and he was released after 28 years. Hynson now uses art to share his journey from pain to growth, mentors at-risk youth as a Credible Messenger in DC, and works to change laws so young people don’t suffer the same fate. 

Warren Hynson Art