By Brad Edwards

(CBS) — Art is bringing joy and fulfillment to men in the most unexpected place: Division 11 of the Cook County Jail.

It’s Positively Chicago, CBS 2’s Brad Edwards reports.

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Italian-born chef Bruno Abate previously helped set up a pizzeria in the jail, as a way to give inmates job skills.

Next step has been a painting program.

Among the inmates getting a chance to explore their art is Lehi Lopez.

“I’m not in jail when I’m actually painting,” he says.

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Justin Lamerdin has previous convictions for burglary.

He’s proven to be not the best thief, but a heck of an artist.

The jail program is called Recipe for Change and it’s completely self-funded.

Chef Abate, who employs several of the inmates who are now out, is looking for donors to help launch the music program in early 2018.

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Brad Edwards