OPEN NOW
Join us for a solo retrospective of John Martin’s 38-year career at Creative Growth Art Center in Oakland.
The show opens on February 1st, 2024 and will run through May 4th, 2024.
Born in 1963 in Marks, Mississippi, John Martin now resides in Oakland and works at the Creative Growth Art Center. His diverse art, spanning drawings, ceramics, and woodwork, seamlessly weaves together memories from his family farm in Mississippi and his present urban life in Oakland.
Martin's artistic journey, which began in 1987 at Creative Growth, prominently features images such as trucks, snakes, pocket knives, cell phones and various found objects.
These items, integral to his work, have evolved over the years. His art not only captures the essence of these objects but also explores their practicality in imaginative ways, creating extraordinary animal combinations, oversized Leatherman tools, and mysterious text.
In his distinctive style, Martin's creations showcase a playful transformation of everyday items. Fish morph into knives, alligators become saws, and even Martin himself is reimagined as a Nokia phone. Unfolding multi-tools reveal smiling sharks, and throughout his pieces, Martin's clever humor shines, turning mundane objects into a captivating and illustrative visual language.
Can’t make the show in-person? Shop a curated selection of John Martin works HERE
AUDIO TOUR
Creative Growth is offering an audio tour of the John Martin: A Self Portrait show. This highly descriptive tour is a great option for Blind and low vision visitors and others. Access the tour on your own device using our QR codes, or ask staff to borrow a device. The tour is available in English and Spanish. As always, visitors can feel samples of Creative Growth art at our tactile station.
For accessibility questions and requests, contact Emma (emma@creativegrowth.org).
April 6 – October 6, 2024
SFMOMA Floor 2
Creative Growth: The House That Art Built celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the first organization in the United States dedicated to supporting artists with developmental disabilities. Today, more than 140 artists work at the organization, using every medium, from painting and drawing to ceramics, wood, fiber, digital media, and printmaking. This exhibition features a selection from the museum’s recent acquisition of work by Creative Growth artists — Josef Alef, Camille Holvoet, Susan Janow, Dwight Mackintosh, John Martin, Dan Miller, Donald Mitchell, Judith Scott, William Scott, Ron Veasey, and Alice Wong — along with archival material that highlights the organization’s history. Together, the exhibition and historic acquisition present the boundless creativity and impact of these artists on cultural dialogues in the Bay Area and beyond.
COMING SOON
Celebrate Creative Growth’s 50th Anniversary at our 5th Annual Creating Community Symposium, from May 20-23, 2024. This four-day event taking place in Oakland and at SFMOMA in San Francisco will offer inspiring, educational, and connective experiences. Join us to honor fifty years of art and advocacy for artists with disabilities. Be part of the conversation that will drive the future of art and inclusion. You'll experience inspiring speakers, engaging workshops, and networking opportunities. This gathering is all about building connections and fostering collaboration within our community while also enjoying the recently opened "Creative Growth: The House That Art Built" exhibition at SFMOMA.
Don't miss out on this chance to connect with like-minded individuals and make a difference.
PAST EXHIBITIONS + EVENTS
2023
In 2024, Creative Growth Art Center celebrates its 50th anniversary as one of the world’s oldest and largest independent art centers for people with disabilities. To highlight these five decades of achievement, Creative Growth’s Director Emeritus Tom di Maria will present a special exhibition titled Expanding the Canon: 50 Years of Creative Growth at OAF featuring artwork and ephemera drawn from the Center’s private collection and private collections in NY.
Included in the exhibit will be never before seen works from renowned Creative Growth artists including Dwight Mackintosh, Donald Mitchell, William Scott, Monica Valentine, Aurie Ramirez, William Tyler and Judith Scott. The exhibit will also highlight the Center’s historical importance as a model for numerous similar programs world-wide, its role as host of multiple symposia about art and disability, and its vibrant exhibition program that has brought the work of the Center’s artists to venues as diverse as the Museum of Modern Art, the Venice Biennale and the Centre Pompidou.
This year, Creative Growth is set to participate in the 2024 Felix Art Fair, marking a significant moment for the representation of artists with disabilities in mainstream art events.
Established in 2018, Felix is an art fair created with the intention to foster intimate experiences that prioritize conversation, collaboration, and community. The 2024 edition takes place February 28–March 3, 2024 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. Public hours are Thursday through Saturday, from 11am - 7pm, and Sunday, 11am - 5pm. Purchase a ticket here.
Join us for our most beloved event of the year, a gift-giver's paradise celebrating community, creativity and disability pride.
Every purchase of a unique holiday gift supports artists with disabilities, making your shopping even more meaningful.
VISIT IN PERSON OR SHOP THE SHOW ONLINE!
GALLERY HOURS:
WED-SAT: 10-4PM
The Holiday Show is on view though January 13th, 2024.
Artwork: Juan Aguilera, mixed media on paper
Creative Growth is pleased to participate in this year’s edition of NADA Miami, presenting work by Alice Wong, Nathaniel Jackson and Ron Veasey to name only a few.
NADA Miami
December 5-9, 2023
Ice Palace Studios
1400 North Miami Avenue
Miami, Florida 33136
Learn more at www.newartdealers.org. Stay tuned for our online preview book. Please email gallery@creativegrowth.org for any inquiries in the meantime.
Artwork: Alice Wong, marker on found photograph
ANIMAL SHOW
Creative Growth’s fall exhibition features artwork devoted to the animal "purr-suasion" - a multi-media extravaganza of nearly 100 artworks by Creative Growth artists. Animal Style will feature incredible window installations by the amazing Dinah Shapiro and Jamie Freid along with the pièce de résistance – a custom mural featuring an immersive landscape by Peter Salsman. Seize the meowment and add a new animal friend to your art collection!
All art sales and proceeds from Animal Style go towards supporting the 140+ artists who practice at Creative Growth Art Center.
September 22nd - November 11th, 2023
LAUREN DARE AT SARGENT’S DAUGHTERS WEST
Sargent’s Daughters is pleased to present Prism, an exhibition of work by Creative Growth artist Lauren Dare. The exhibition will open on September 8th, 2023 at Sargent’s Daughters West and is Dare’s first with the gallery, as well as her solo debut. Working across a variety of media, including ink, acrylic and marker on both paper and wooden forms, Dare employs the simple mechanisms of color and line to create complex fields of refracted color. Dare has been practicing at Creative Growth for 11 years, and in that time has developed a sophisticated visual language, primarily in pen-and-ink drawings on paper. Using the whole range of motion in her hand and arm, Dare makes repeated marks on paper, filling each work to the edge. By layering unexpected combinations of colors and pigments and adjusting the angles of her lines, she develops dynamic compositions with a sense of atmosphere and depth.
September 8 – October 28, 2023
538 N. Western Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90004
View images from our last artist talk and workshop series below in line with the Home Show. During these unique events, attendees had the opportunity to discover the mesmerizing techniques of watercolor and explore the intricate artistry of hand-weaving on a SAORI loom, guided by the talented Casey Byrnes. Additionally, guests were enchanted by Sherry Stanley and her captivating world of textile art showcased on linen tea towels.
Image descriptions top to bottom, left to right: watercolor workshop attendees at work; cute couple watercoloring together; watercolor workshop attendee Annemarie shows off her finished “Sweet Peas” piece; Creative Growth artist Sherry Stanley demonstrating her techniques as part of the embroidery workshop; Sherry Stanley answering questions as part of her embroidery workshop; Gallery Director Nadia Ghani working on her linen tea towel embroidery project; Looms setup for the free-style weaving workshop with Casey Byrnes; materials prepped for the free-style weaving workshop; Creative Growth artists Casey Byrnes demonstrating how to use the SAORI loom as part of his free-style weaving workshop; Creative Growth interpreter Pam’s finished watercolor piece of Casey; Creative Growth artist Casey Byrnes and his interpreter Pam showing off her finished watercolor; Creative Growth artist Casey Byrnes guiding one of his participants during the free-style weaving workshop; Attendees pose for a group photo after the watercolor workshop with Creative Growth artist Casey Byrnes; Aerial view of the embroidery and watercolor workshops in the Creative Growth gallery; Attendees pose for a group photo after the free-style weaving workshop with Casey Byrnes
Into the Brightness: Artists from Creativity Explored, Creative Growth, & NIAD at The Oakland Museum of California
In collaboration with three profound Bay Area institutions, Into the Brightness: Artists from Creativity Explored, Creative Growth, & NIAD celebrates myriad works from contemporary artists with developmental disabilities. From painting to sculpture to multimedia, these world-renowned artists are producing work of incredible power, exuberance, humor, complexity, and joy.
Into the Brightness presents a variety of dynamic perspectives from the artists’ personal experiences of the world. This original, collaborative exhibition is the largest museum exhibition in over a decade featuring artists from the three local organizations.
Featured artists include: Saul Alegria, Peter Cordova, Tranesha Smith-Kilgore, Marlon Mullen, Dorian Reid, William Scott, Dinah Shapiro, Nicole Storm, and Marilyn Wong.
Purchase tickets to Into the Brightness: Artists from Creativity Explored, Creative Growth, & NIAD here.
SHOP Creative Growth Artist’s work featured in the Exhibition here.
*artwork: optically charged sculpture by Monica Valentine composed of foam shapes that are densely covered with red and green beads and sequins
Into the Brightness is on view though January 21, 2024. Learn about our accessibility options.
TEXT ME
Creative Growth's "Text Me" show celebrates the incredible diversity of artworks featuring the written word. The exhibition serves as a platform for our artists to share their perspectives, stories, and unique experiences through the lens of typography, highlighting the communicative power of our community.
We invite you to engage with the artists, learn about their creative processes, and gain insights into the inspirations that fuel their imaginative endeavors.
JULY 14TH - SEPTEMBER 2ND, 2023
artwork: Dwight Mackintosh, pen on paper. Text message-like bubbles include the words “Text Me, July 14th-September 2nd, sparkly heart emoji’s, and the Creative Growth logo
DIANE ROSENSTEIN GALLERY BEAUTIFUL PEACE ON EARTH
Diane Rosenstein Gallery is pleased to present Beautiful Peace On Earth, a group exhibition featuring 17 current and alumni artists from the Creative Growth Art Center.
Opening July 15, 2023, the exhibition includes nearly 100 sculptures, paintings, video, and works on paper highlighting the depth and breadth of the work created in Creative Growth’s studio in Oakland, CA. Upon the eve of Creative Growth’s 50th Anniversary, this survey includes works by renowned artists who defy conventional boundaries such as Dan Miller, Dwight Macintosh, John Hiltunen, Nicole Storm, and William Scott. Emerging artist Nathaniel Jackson makes his gallery debut with a series of beautifully abstracted monsters rendered in watercolor, alongside Alice Wong’s haunting paintings on found photographs.
artwork: watercolor on paper by Nathaniel Jackson
The Home Show
We were thrilled to announce the return of our annual Home Show exhibition, which showcased the work of over 50 artists with developmental disabilities. This beloved event celebrated the power of community and the artistry of Creative Growth's talented artists and was held from April 27th to June 24th, 2023. The Home Show featured a wide range of homewares and artwork, including hand-crafted pillows, furniture, woven blankets, ceramics, wood sculptures, dishes, linens, and home-inspired artwork.
APRIL 27th - JUNE 24th, 2023
artwork: needlepoint by Shui Wah Pooh
WILLIAM SCOTT at INDEPENDENT 2023
Creative Growth participated in the 2023 edition of Independent Art Fair, featuring a solo presentation of work by William Scott.
Independent Art Fair
May 11-14, 2023
Spring Studios
50 Varick Street
New York, NY 10013
Learn more at www.independenthq.com
Download Preview Book Here
artwork: mixed media on paper by William Scott (OAF 23 21)
RECENT ABSTRACTION
Recent Abstraction brought together new work by over 20 artists who were currently working in the studio at Creative Growth. This exhibition explored themes of abstraction across mediums, scale, and subject focus, featuring recent paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, and ceramics.
Artists such as Cedric Johnson, Jessica Rodriguez, and Daniel Hamilton explored bold and graphic shapes. Jordan King, Joseph Alef, Dan Miller, and Lauren Dare used a repetition of lines that built universes of color and texture. The artist and resident abstractionist, Nicole Storm, returned with a site-specific installation that took over our front window box.
FEBRUARY 3 - APRIL 8th, 2023
THE COLLAGE PARTY
After a long hiatus, we brought this popular event back to Creative Growth! The week-long party was led by artist and curator Paul Butler, and it brought together the Oakland community for a celebration of creativity.
Thank you to our community for filling the gallery with an incredible array of art pieces, Contact Records for providing supplies, and our resident DJs for the tunes!
APRIL 14th + 15th, 2023
CREATIVE GROWTH at 16th EDITION OF DRAWING NOW, PARIS
Creative Growth participated in the 16th edition of the Drawing Now Art Fair in Paris featuring artists Alice Wong, Aurie Ramirez, Dan Miller, Franna Lusson, George Wilson, Lauren Dare, Nicole Storm and Susan Janow among others.
Drawing Now Art Fair
March 23-26, 2023
Carreau de Temple, Paris 3e
Learn more at https://www.drawingnowartfair.com and view our preview book here.
OUTSIDER ART FAIR NEW YORK 2023
Creative Growth participated in the 2023 edition of Outsider Art Fair New York, featuring artists Alice Wong, Dan Miller, Monica Valentine, Nicole Storm, Ron Veasey, Lauren Dare, George Wilson, Ying Ge Zhou, William Tyler, Joseph Alef, and Zina Hall
Outsider Art Fair
March 2-5, 2023
Metropolitan Pavilion
125 W 18th St
New York, NY 10011
Learn more at www.outsiderartfair.com and check out Creative Growth’s Online Viewing Room here .
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