Joshua Baerga interviewed by Kristian Hansen
Kristian Hansen (00:04): Good evening. My name is Kristian Hansen and this... Today is July 10th, 2023. And I'm in Sullivan Correctional Facility in an art class interviewing Joshua Baerga. Joshua Baerga, I sat in this class with this young man, and he has a really nice disposition, and we will get into that by the questions that I ask him. And we are here through [inaudible 00:00:40]. I believe that's how you an- how you, um, pronounce it. But we are here. And what is your name, sir, even though I just said it.
Joshua Baerga (00:50): My name is Joshua Baerga.
Kristian Hansen (00:52): All right buddy. Here we go. Are you ready to do this little questionnaire?
Joshua Baerga (00:56): I am.
Kristian Hansen (00:57): Okay. So my first question is, why did you enroll in this art program, and did your reasons change as you went through it?
Joshua Baerga (01:06): Um, I think my, uh, I think my reason for enrolling this art program was to better myself in art, uh, look at it from different aspects, um, learn new things. Um, also, one of the reasons I had was to have completion for programs. But, um, that reason changed as I started attending classes during the weeks. Um, I started learning new things, things I didn't know before about art. Um, the different types of art, different colors that you use. Um, yeah, it was a good, it was a good experience and my reasons definitely changed for more positive things than my reasons for, for before.
Kristian Hansen (01:51): Okay. Thank you for that answer. Uh, can you also tell me about your time in this class?
Joshua Baerga (01:57): Um, my time in this class, I think those 12 weeks went rather fast. Um, I might reapply. I'm considering reapplying cause I want to attend more classes. I don't think 12 is enough, but, um, my time in the class was very, uh, mood changing. Uh, I had this demeanor about myself where I wasn't trying to be too open, I was being closed in. I wasn't trying to really, you know, speak too much and elaborate on what was being said about art. And I guess as time progressed and I started coming more to class, I started learning new things, drawing, speaking out more, opening up, and I started learning new things about art.
Kristian Hansen (02:43): Uh, as you were answering that question, I, I peeked at you viewing your art folder. What is your greatest memory in this art class, and what did you take from it?
Joshua Baerga (02:54): Uh, I would have to say my greatest memory from this art class would be when Nick had us close our eyes for a couple of minutes and think about, uh, a place or someone that made us feel special, a good memory that we had in the past, or a place that made us feel, uh, comfort. And I remember going back >and reminiscing on when my father used to rake leaves in a park and, uh, have a slide down this slide with water on it, me and my sister into the leaves. And, um, actually I just found the picture right here. Um, yeah, that was, that would probably be my, uh, my favorite memory from this class is when he, Nick and Patrick, had us go back to our special moment back in the day where someone made us feel, or place made us feel comfortable or fun.
Kristian Hansen (03:52): Okay. I do remember that story. I remember when you elaborated it, and it was very, uh, it was very touching. Um, do you recall a time in the classroom where you were hesitant about coming, and a friend of yours spoke on accountability and responsibility, and how accountability and responsibility can carry you through anything?
Joshua Baerga (04:20): I do remember that. Um, there were times where I didn't want to come to class. There were some Mondays where I just wanted to stay in the cell and do nothing, which would've been a waste of time. But, um, I had a peer that was in my class tell me, uh, about taking accountability, which was you, and you kind of opened my mind more to wanting to be more available for these programs and opportunities and seeing the positivity that might be coming out of it in the end result.
Kristian Hansen (04:57): I saw the change in you as we went along and I was very impressed. Uh, one last question, if you don't mind me asking you this question. You have a real live sense of humor, and your sense of humor carries you. It gives you a good persona.
Joshua Baerga (05:16): Mm-hmm.
Kristian Hansen (05:16): And you use that in this classroom?
Joshua Baerga (05:19): Mm-hmm.
Kristian Hansen (05:19): And do you feel that using your sense of humor and your, your joking status can take you far as well as, like, not just drawing, but can take you far, like, maybe hitting a, maybe hitting, like, when you do get out of this quote-unquote, hell; would you be able to do a standup comedy or a podcast with comedy? Because you're a funny guy, and I think that everybody has that one thing that they have, and I from experiencing it with you, I see that you have a real good sense of humor. So do you feel that your sense of humor, which could be standup comedy, do you feel that can take you far?
Joshua Baerga (06:03): Uh, I do think my comedy could take me a long way. Uh, and you aren't the first person to tell me that. Uh, I've actually had some people tell me that I need my own show because I'm so comedic and, um, I've took it, taken those things and those comments and utilized them as, uh, motivation to go home and pursue a career in acting and comedy. So in this art class, I've utilized my humor in ways where I've seen results of my comedy taking me far and taking me to stages across the world where I could do standup and maybe open up branch into acting or other things. So yes, I have and thank you so much.
Kristian Hansen (06:51): Oh, you're welcome. You're welcome. Uh, one last question that I have for you, even though I just said I have one last question, but we're gonna go one more because we have a little more time to kill, and we are not brought to you by cats chasing milk.
Joshua Baerga (07:04): (laughs)
Kristian Hansen (07:07): We are brought to you by deadlift.
Joshua Baerga (07:10): (laughs)
Kristian Hansen (07:12): When you pick up the world and let go of everything else. Here's my last question now that we're done joking. Okay. What, if anything, do you take from this class? Is there one experience, is there one emotion? Is there one feeling? Is there anything that you can take from this class and show to others?
Joshua Baerga (07:38): Um, I do have something that I've taken from this class and I plan on utilizing it to, you know, speak to other people and, you know, and that's, um, that's accountability. You know, um, me being accountable, making it here, not wanting to sit in my cell and do nothing, um, what this class has done for me, um, how it's changed me, how's it changed my perception on things, my, my thinking, my speaking. Um, I plan on using that to speak to other brothers and peers and friends in here. And even when I come home, family members and friends on how to conduct themselves even during the inte- interviews, this interview we're doing right here, you know?
(08:28):
Um, but yeah, I think that's, that's something I'm definitely gonna take with me to share with other people, and that's accountability and that's something this class that's taught me, that's something you, Mr. Hansen, have taught me and that's something I've learned and now have the knowledge of.
Kristian Hansen (08:48): That's right. Who needs an AR-15 with all these guys shooting up all these things when you have accountability and responsibility?
Joshua Baerga (08:54): (laughs)
Kristian Hansen (08:55): That's the real AR-15. All right, thank you very much, Joshua Baerga. And I hope you have a great evening and it's been a pleasure to participate in this class with you and this interview.
Joshua Baerga (09:07): (laughs)