Creative Growth Art Center - Truly Inspirational

I always like to feature things that inspire me, most of the time it's about a piece of graphic design, a website. Lately, it has been about books, especially biographies and books about investment (I need to retire one day ) as well as photography and of course UI and UX, whichis my day to day job. I know it might sound cheesy but inspiration is everywhere and with the globalized world that is even more clear. However, I got truly inspired by a cause that has filled my heart with happiness and brought tears to my eyes, but not of sadness, but enlightenment. I am talking about the work of theCreative Growth Art Center.

To give you some context, my wife invited me to attend the 8thAnnual Beyond Trend Runway Event and Fundraiser. This time the company she works for, Method, was a meaningful sponsor. After some negotiation, I accepted the invitation (my introversion gets stronger with age). Thank God I accepted. It changed my life, literally. Why?

So, theCreative Growth Art Center is a non-profit that serves artists with developmental, mental and physical disabilities, providing a professional studio environment for artistic development, gallery exhibition, and representation. The Beyond Trend Runway is their annual event where their artists have the chance to showcase their work in a fashion style show. It's hard to describe in words how powerful and amazing it is to see the work and, most importantly, how happy the artists are to see their work out there.

If the goal of art and design is to change people's lives for the better, Creative Growth has reached that and surpassed all expectations. I have profound respect for everyone that makes that a reality. That's the reason I am posting about it here on Abduzeedo. So more people can contribute for this cause so we can see more artists likeDan Miller whohas a permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum,orDavid Albertsen withwork exhibitedat the Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art in Korea, the Galerie Giti Nourbakhsch in Berlin, orRon who has been making art at Creative Growth since 1981.

Dan Miller

David Albertsen

Cedric Johnson

Franna Lusson

To be honest, it doesn't matter where the work got featured, the only thing that matters for me is that these amazing people now have the opportunity to express themselves and show a bit more of how they see the world.

TheirPrograms

Since 1974, Creative Growth has played a significant role in increasing public interest in the artistic capabilities and achievements of people with disabilities. Artwork created within our studio is exhibited directly in the Creative Growth gallery as well as in outside galleries, museums, and private collections throughout the world. Our primary focus is to encourage and support artists with disabilities in the development and exhibition of their artwork.

Studio Program

Our Studio program is offered 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday. The program provides a professional art studio setting and facilitation for over 140 artists in drawing, painting, video production, ceramics, mosaics, wood, fiber arts, textiles, and printmaking. The program is further enriched by trips to museums, galleries, and artists studios. Artists develop a working portfolio and many artists produce exhibition quality artwork for sale in the Creative Growth gallery and internationally.

Youth Art Program

The Saturday Youth Art is offered from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturdaysto young adults ages 16-22 with developmental disabilities. It gives high school students with artistic inclinations the opportunity to explore art as a vocation with the possibility of transitioning into the Creative Growth adult fine arts program. Classes run all year round. Classes are small so that each student receives individual attention while exploring drawing, painting, fiber arts, ceramics, and woodworking. Students experience the excitement of discovering their creative potential and the reward of having their artwork exhibited and sold in the Creative Growth gallery.

Rug Workshop

The Rug Workshop offers an opportunity for Creative Growth artists to collaborate in the production of Creative Growth limited edition rugs, made in our Studio.

Get involved

There are many ways to get involved and help the Creative Growth to continue their incredible mission. You can become a memberor a volunteer.

You can also donate, and please do. Just click on the button below and support 150+ artists with disabilities have a place totell their storiesand unearth one of the most satisfying privileges of being humanexpressing passion through art.

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