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Creativity Explored

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Creativity Explored

Creativity Explored is a studio-based collective in San Francisco that partners with developmentally Art changes lives!

Creativity Explored was founded on a belief that art is essential to life. We exist to provide developmentally disabled people access to the human right of creative expression. Creativity Explored was founded in San Francisco in 1983 by Florence and Elias Katz, an artist and a psychologist. Sparked by the nationwide deinstitutionalization of disabled people, the duo launched a movement that expanded defined notions of artistry when they founded three Bay Area organizations – Creativity Explored, Creative Growth, and NIAD (Nurturing Independence through Artistic Development). Our organizations honor the Katzs’ legacy in the Bay Area by continuing to collaborate, co-curate exhibitions, and share resources. Together our programs serve as a model for the field of art and disability worldwide. Creativity Explored now serves 130 artists and has facilitated the careers of hundreds of disabled artists. Creativity Explored artists have seen their work exhibited in museums, galleries, and art fairs in over 14 countries and have earned over $2 million from their art. Our life-changing programs continue to open doors of inclusion to center the personhood and creative vision of people with developmental disabilities. Most importantly, Creativity Explored is a source of community, empowerment and dignity. At Creativity Explored, we believe in a future society with an enlightened understanding of its relationship with neurodiverse people—one that has evolved from one-way support to mutually-enriching growth. We see a society strengthened by an authentic appreciation of all people’s creative contributions. In times of great transition, we continue to center the personhood and agency of our artists in all our efforts, asking, “What is important to you?” We will continue to innovate to provide safe and virtual services that enrich the lives of our artists, their families and supporters, on their terms. Our dedicated staff, board, and volunteers are also expanding our commitment to racial justice and disability advocacy by amplifying the voices of studio artists of color and artists who are immigrants. We are proud to create space for our artists and staff to learn about and honor diversity by examining and celebrating the intersections of disability, race, ethnicity, class, gender, and other facets of our identities.

01/09/2026

Time for another Creativity Explored x Open Invitational studio highlight! We're assembling dozens of progressive studios for our new art fair coming to downtown San Francisco January 23–35.

Today's feature: Studio Route 29 in Frenchtown, NJ!

Studio Route 29 centers the creative practices and perspectives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They are a community space that champions inclusion and brings people together in play and creative spirit.

They aim to strengthen the art community at large by extending resources and access to those historically dispossessed of them. They provide space, materials, and support to explore, create, and develop an artistic practice. Enrolled artists have access to a wide range of mediums including (but not limited to) drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media, installation, fashion design and production, weaving, rug making, sound art and music, performance, video, photography, and poetry.

For CExOI, Studio Route 29 will be featuring the work of artists Michael Angelo Mangino and Theo Baransky!

Michael Angelo Mangino (b. 2004) is a painter living in Pittstown NJ and working from Studio Route 29 in Frenchtown NJ. Mangino has had solo shows at Shrine in NYC, ArtYard in New Jersey, and Fleisher/Ollman Gallery (PA). His work has also been featured in group exhibitions at Beauty Gallery (NJ), Center for Creative Works (PA), Open Invitational (Miami), Julie Casemore Gallery (CA), NADA (NYC), 47 Canal (NY), Jennifer Lauren/Atelier (PA), and Open Invitational (NY).

Theo Baransky (b. 2003, Ithaca, NY) is a painter based in Milford, New Jersey. Alongside his painting practice, Baransky hosts an interview series with people in the film industry. He loves cats. Baransky's work has been shown in solo exhibitions at Beauty Gallery, NJ, and White Columns, NY, as well as group exhibitions at Open Invitational, FL, Julie Casemore Gallery, CA, NADA, NY, and Fierman, NY. A monograph of his work, Restricted, was published by Beauty Books in 2025.

Find out more about Creativity Explored x Open Invitational via the link in our bio, and come visit us at 215 Fremont Street January 23–25!⁠
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01/08/2026

Time for another highlight of a progressive studio participating in the inaugural Creativity Explored x Open Invitational, our new art fair joining the exciting lineup January 23–25!⁠

Today's studio: Imagine That! in Kansas City, MO ()!

Imagine That! is an arts-based day program that caters to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They are located in the Crossroads Arts District of Kansas City, MO, and support creative individuals living in Jackson, Clay, and Platte County. Established in 2012, Imagine That! is a program offered by Resources for Human Development (RHD), based in Philadelphia, PA. RHD was founded in 1970 and supports 160 human service programs in 13 states.

The primary goal at Imagine That! is self-expression. They aim to provide the individuals who participate in the program with the tools and materials to create art. Their approach is based on the assumption that everyone has the potential to be creative, if given the materials, regardless of previous experience. The experience offered at Imagine That! gives artists a voice. It also gives them an opportunity for increased communication skills, enhancement of self-esteem, and strength to make their own decisions.

The studio’s participants are supported by a team of trained artists who strive to integrate the studio into the larger art community in Kansas City as well as nationally and internationally. The staff at Imagine That! is made up of an eclectic mix of professional, working artists, and other creatively minded persons who each bring unique skills to the studio. Some have been trained through college art programs, while others are self-taught. This diversity helps them better support individuals by offering a wide range of activities and methods of making. The staff work with a hands-off approach, assisting in teaching and implementing new concepts, but letting each artist work through the process with their own hands. They believe each individual has something important to share and express, and their goal is to foster that expression without interference.

Find out more about Creativity Explored x Open Invitational and come visit us at 215 Fremont Street January 23–25: https://www.creativityexplored.org/events-exhibitions/ce-x-openinvitational

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01/07/2026

All month, we'll be featuring the progressive studios that are participating in the inaugural Creativity Explored x Open Invitational, our new art fair joining the exciting lineup January 23–25!

First up is Access Gallery in Denver, Colorado ()!

Access Gallery is a Denver-based nonprofit arts organization that creates creative, educational, and economic opportunities for artists with disabilities. Long established in Denver’s creative community, the gallery has been rooted in the Art District on Santa Fe for the past 20 years.
Centered on the artist’s story, Access Gallery provides professional studio space, exhibition opportunities, and pathways for artists to develop sustainable creative practices, guided by values of community, integrity, innovation, and accessibility.

For CExOI, Access Gallery will be highlighting the work of artist AJ Kiel, a Denver-based artist who has worked with Access since 2006. His bold, distinctive style has led to national exposure, private commissions, and inclusion in major corporate collections. Recent highlights include New Belgium Brewing’s 2023 Artist Series and participation in Access Gallery’s largest commissioned project to date for Modivcare’s headquarters.His work is commissioned for live painting events and held in private collections.

AJ’s work is informed by constant motion and the urban environment around him. He is drawn to vehicles, particularly trucks and trains, and often finds inspiration in movement, structure, and rhythm. While he is primarily known for illustrative work, his recent paintings explore bright color palettes and strong, heavy outlines, reflecting an evolving approach to form and energy. His work is commissioned for live painting events and held in private collections.

Find out more about Creativity Explored x Open Invitational, and come visit us at 215 Fremont Street January 23–25: https://www.creativityexplored.org/events-exhibitions/ce-x-openinvitational

01/05/2026

Coming soon! 🔜

Hung Kei Shiu: Color Field
Solo Exhibition
January 15–March 28, 2026

Opening Reception:
Thursday, January 15
6:00–8:00 pm
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/opening-reception-for-hung-kei-shiu-solo-exhibition-tickets-1977989464735

Creativity Explored is pleased to present artist Hung Kei Shiu’s first solo exhibition in our gallery. One of the initial artists at Creativity Explored almost 40 years ago, Hung Kei Shiu took a break for a number of years before re-joining the studio community with his sister, Ka Wei Shiu, in 2006.

Known for his layered fields of dashes, dots, circles and small color blocks, Shiu’s signature style is instantly recognizable throughout his long career. His delicate build-up of marks create structured screens, often with layers of washed color behind. Reminiscent of Impressionism’s accumulation of dabbed paint or the angled marks pressed into wet clay on a Mesopotamian tablet, Shiu communicates an atmosphere and environment with a vocabulary of marks. He occasionally works from reference imagery and in his early works, the occasional animal, figure or Chinese character appears. But for the majority of his work, he embroiders a purely abstract and dense tapestry of color and gesture.

Artwork: Hung Kei Shiu, Untitled, 2025, watercolor and ink on paper 17.50 x 23 inches.

12/30/2025

With the many changes that greeted us in 2025, Creativity Explored has remained diligent in providing a sanctuary for artists with disabilities. We are committed to nurturing the artistry, aspirations and well-being of 140 adult artists with developmental disabilities and securing our artists’ place in their chosen industry through exhibitions, galleries and art fairs. We all know that federal spending cuts have and will continue to devastate crucial, everyday services that help our artist community live the safe, dignified lives they deserve. Political upheaval is putting hard-won rights at risk.

Together, there is so much we can do. With your help, we’ll join forces with caring people across the country to fight for the services and supports that people with disabilities need. We’ll also keep our commitments to artists with disabilities by offering a caring creative community – a sanctuary – for more and more adults and youth.
Your donation provides disabled artists with life-altering access:

• $1,000 - Invest in CE's longevity as we protect our artists through uncertain times
• $500 - Sponsor a youth artists' summer camp or afterschool program
• $250 - Pave a path for CE artists’ future endeavors, like digital art and animation classes
• $100 - Fund a studio activation, like Imaginate Saturdays
• $50 - Provide a CE artist with one-on-one mentorship to explore new art mediums like ceramics
Our Mission: Creativity Explored is a San Francisco nonprofit and studio-based collective that partners with people with developmental disabilities to create an artistic community where any person can flourish. We do this by placing the work, needs, culture, and experience of artists with developmental disabilities at the center of the community in a way that honors humanity, respects self-agency, and nurtures creative potential.

12/23/2025

This week, your donation has a TWIN 👯

Two is better than one, or so says CE artist Andrew Bixler. Andrew loves creating storyline series featuring twins, like The Pender Sisters. The Pender Sisters go on many heroic adventures and have even been crowned royal princesses.

We are thrilled to share Andrew’s twin philosophy and announce we have a new matching gift campaign! Thanks to the John and Gwen Smart Family Foundation, your gift today, until December 31st, will be automatically doubled.

Make a donation before the end of the year and make a difference for neurodiverse artists like Andrew!

https://creativityexplored.networkforgood.com/projects/260331-creativity-explored-s-end-of-year-fundraiser

12/20/2025

We're starting to turn our attention to the new year, and getting very excited for the next exhibition in the CE Gallery, Hung Kei Shiu: "Color Field," opening January 15! This will the first solo exhibition for Shiu, who was one of the first artists to join Creativity Explored almost 40 years ago.

This is a particularly fun moment for us, as the pieces that will be on view are currently with our framing partner , getting top-tier display treatment for their public debut. We can't wait to get them back and start hanging!

Known for his layered fields of dashes, dots, circles and small color blocks, Shiu’s signature style is instantly recognizable throughout his long career. His delicate build-up of marks create structured screens, often with layers of washed color behind. Reminiscent of Impressionism’s accumulation of dabbed paint or the angled marks pressed into wet clay on a Mesopotamian tablet, Shiu communicates an atmosphere and environment with a vocabulary of marks. He occasionally works from reference imagery and in his early works, the occasional animal, figure or Chinese character appears. But for the majority of his work, he embroiders a purely abstract and dense tapestry of color and gesture.

Artworks:
Hung Kei Shiu, Untitled, 2025, watercolor and ink on paper, 17.50 x 23 in

Hung Kei Shiu, Untitled, ca. 2016, gel pen and oil pastel on paper, 10 x 12 in

Hung Kei Shiu, Untitled, 2024, ink on paper, 14 x 22 in

Hung Kei Shiu, Untitled, 2010, colored pencil on paper, 16 x 195 in

Hung Kei Shin, Untitled, acrylic and marker on paper, 15 x 22.25 in

12/18/2025

⏰ Last chance to check out the Holiday Art Shop at the CE gallery! ⁠
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Our holiday exhibition closes Saturday, so get on over to the gallery and find a special and unique art gift for the special and unique people in your life. ⁠
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Since the Holiday Art Shop opened a couple weeks ago, we have sold more than 450 original artworks, and there is so much more to explore. And as always, 50% of all art sales go directly to the artists who created the work, with the rest going to the support programs that provide them a safe space and creative freedom. ⁠Hundreds of artworks are still available for purchase, and they're priced to move.⁠
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It's a win-win for everyone! See you at the gallery this weekend? Gallery hours:⁠
Thursdays: 3:00–6:00 pm⁠
Fridays: 3:00–6:00 pm ⁠
Saturdays: 12:00–5:00 pm ⁠
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Artworks: ⁠
Taneya Lovelace, Untitled, 2025, 12 x 12, acrylic and paint marker on paper, 12 x 12 inches

Laron Bickerstaff, Dance!, 2025, colored pencil, 13 x 10 inches

Peter Delira, Untitled, 2025, marker on paper, 12 x 12 inches

12/15/2025

🎄 This week, the holiday shopping fun continues with x Winter Walk ! Tomorrow only (Tuesday, Dec 16), CE will have a booth on Stockton Street between Post and O’Farrell as part of WCC's wintry holiday wonderland featuring festive activities and live music. Don’t forget to go ice skating! ⛸️

Poster design by

12/10/2025

🤯 HUGE news this week in our community of artists with disabilities! Neurodiverse artists are speaking, and the art world is starting to listen!

From the Guardian article: "Nnena Kalu has won the 2025 Turner prize for her colourful drawings and sculptures made from found fabric and VHS tape, becoming the first artist with a learning disability to take home the £25,000 prize.

Alex Farquharson, chair of the jury and director of Britain, said the win by the British-Nigerian represented a watershed moment for the international art world.

'Nnena’s work was very much selected for its quality but given she’s a neurodiverse artist, given her verbal communication is limited, she’s someone who previously would have been on the outside,' he said.

'[Her win] begins to erase that border between the neurotypical and neurodiverse artist. You suddenly become aware that actually it’s been a boundary around our history, and around contemporary art. But that boundary is dissolving.'"

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/dec/09/nnena-kalu-first-artist-learning-disability-win-turner-prize

12/10/2025

🚀 Just launched on the CE web shop: the Holiday Art Drop is finally here!

We've added dozens of amazing never-before-seen wintery and festive artworks to our online store. Don’t miss out — find and claim your favorites before they’re gone!

P.S. You're not just shopping — you're supporting. 50% of online sales go directly to the artist, with the rest supporting CE's programs for neurodivergent artists of all ages. Find something special and unique for yourself and your loved ones with the confidence that you're supporting local artists with disabilities.

Start shopping now: https://www.creativityexplored.org/shop/holiday-art-drop-2025

Artworks:

1. Irene Rivas, Untitled, 2024, colored pencil on paper, 26.25 x 21.25 inches, $330

2. Carlos Guillen, Untitled (Brown Bear Family), ca. 2024, graphite and watercolor on paper, 11 x 14.75 inches, $90

3. James Nielsen, Untitled, 2025, watercolor on paper, 22 x 22 inches, $330

4. Charles Stanberry, Untitled (Santa Hats), 2024, marker on paper, 14.75 x 22.25 inches, $200

5. Claus Groeger, Untitled (Beads, studs, colored pencils), 2023, found objects in wood frame assemblage, 7 x 5 x 1 inches, $150

12/05/2025

❄️🎁 The Holiday Art Shop is ready to roll — come by the studio tonight from 5:00–8:00 pm for the Opening Party and get your shop on!

Tonight's party will be full of festive fun — hundreds of original artworks, artful gifts, drinks, music, and community.

All purchases directly support Creativity Explored's community of artists with disabilities, so you can shop guilt-free and get something unique and special for your loved ones.

Free parking available at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 3281 16th Street! See you there?

Address

3245 16th Street
San Francisco, CA
94103

Opening Hours

Friday	3pm - 6pm
Saturday	10am - 2pm

Telephone

+14158632108

Website

http://www.creativityexplored.org/

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