Creative Growth Art Center

I came by here for a street fair, and full disclosure, I worked for the founder in my first job out of college at another art center. The event went til 6, but was over about an hour or so before that. I was greeted by a nice young man who does transportation for some of the artists. They have art that I've seen before in my other visits. I'm not sure of the value because I'm not fully familiar with their inventory, nor do I know the artists. I know that they do work with professionals to collaborate and complete their art. It was fun, and I'd go to another opening if they had one.

Seriously? I was so sure I had told you about Creative Growth earlier. So horrid me, the professed I only write about beautiful things I love. And I didn't begin here?I am so sorry.Reading Jessica's post a moment ago on Creativity Explored, a venue in SF that sounds quite similar to CG, I suddenly realized. Oh mylanta! I'm remiss.I do know I posted an event here, the September opening of their CG undergarment and art show. That's right, these guys know how to develop. My favorite pair of undertrousers is a piece of art. I could go somewhere with this but I choose not to.Creative Growth and its staff provide therapy through art to adults with developmental disabilities. The space is spacious and the media wide-ranging. I've visited mostly during receptions, but I don't for a second believe that the smiles on the artist's faces are painted only for that evening. No, I believe they endure. The out of the corner of my eye glance at staff shows their halos. No wonder the smiles. No wonder the love.As with Miss J. at the place across the bay, this is an excellent locale for the holiday present, and the shekels you'll leave will be put to such a productive purpose. The Holiday Show opens on December 3, during the so cool Oakland Art Murmur. Come downtown to CG on the 3rd and your first two big PBRs will be on me.I'm not kidding.Come.

What a wonderful place. I just purchased a piece from Creative Growth for a Valentine's Day gift and was so happy to have found this spot of sunshine tucked away on 24th. Looking forward to going back soon.

Someone recently asked if I had any resolutions for the New Year. I silently thumbed through the usual medley-drink less, eat more veggies, no coffee after noon-but said that I didn't have any. Then my neurons fired, my eyes lit up and I proclaimed, "go to Creative Growth as often as possible."Nique F and Markus N both penned reviews that capture the ineffable spirit of this awesome and awe-inspiring place. I don't have much to add, but I'm going to leave my virtual enthusiasm anyway, for yelpsterity's sake.CG is a fully equipped studio that brings art therapy to adults with developmental disabilities and regularly features their works in their adjacent gallery. On First Fridays they keep their doors open late so that you can peer through the eyes of these talented folks who see the world so differently, yet so directly. There can be as many perspectives on one object as there are New Year's resolutions, and the staff and volunteers at CG help these artists actualize their talent by providing the space, supplies, and loving kindness.During their First Friday holiday show, this place was abuzz and aglow, and not just from the drinks being consumed by yours truly. I appreciate that there wasn't a fetishistic devotion to the abnormal, or an 'us'/'them' paradigm. I often couldn't distinguish shopper from artist from staff, and everyone interacted as neighbors, friends, or friends-to-be. The items I purchased here are some of my favorite things in my apartment-a ceramic elephant, a great sketch by Sylvia, and a Christmas gift for a friend which is yet to be gifted, but that I will miss seeing everyday. I am resolute. I will be here. Every first Friday. Won't you join me?

It's pretty amazing that all of the art here has been created by people with disabilities. It just goes to show that if you try, you can create art. This is one of the biggest galleries on the list for the Oakland Art Murmur and it's probably one of the most interesting. There's plenty of space to roam and you can see just about every different kind of art on the wall.I know one of my friends said if they had money to throw around they would invest in this place, I couldn't agree more. It's definitely well worth seeking out.I will stop here again for sure.

This is a VERY inspiring establishment. Full of treasures to discover, not only in the Gallery and on the walls, but the people here too! Check out my blog as I walk through the pages of the book "This is Oakland" and document my experiences with many of the cities gems. www.discoverthisisoakland.tumblr.com

There are galleries that are hip; full of people in black clothes and little glasses. There are galleries that are edgy; with unknowable concepts and aloof artists. And then there's this gallery that is honest and inspiring and makes me cry. In a good way. Leave it to Markus N to bring me somewhere profound enough to get me choked up on my cherry margarita. Creative Growth has a serious mission: to make art accessible to everyone, by serving folks with mental and physical disabilities. They introduce them to art, provide them with loving instruction, and the work that comes of it is...well, you can imagine. Art from the heart, untainted and true. Pay them a visit on First Friday, meet the artists, learn about their cause, sip some grown-up beverages, and see the world through new eyes. If you dare.

I've been going to Creative Growth Art Center for years to pick up amazing artwork by these talented artists. An art center for adults with disabilities, they provide materials, instruction and a safe place for the artists to explore their craft. I believe they have some of the most original artists in the Bay Area.They have an on site gallery that sells something within everyone's budget- paintings, sculptures, t-shirts, etc. Some of the artists have had sold-out exhibitions in New York and many show internationally. My favorite artist at the moment is Terri Bowden. She is legally blind and paints these great portraits of animals, people and celebrities as albinos. I also love her ceramic donuts and donut paintings, which average about $30.

Just saw a segment on CBS Sunday Morning about this group. The story was inspiring and uplifting. I had never heard of it. And the artists are amazing individuals who create beautiful unique pieces.

I am a caregiver for my brother who has a mental disability. I've been looking for a good, safe program to plug him into since Townehouse changed their business model. I suggested Creative Growth because he is extremely artistic. He was very excited, so I called Creative Growth and spoke to Cristina. She was very responsive and set up a tour and interview in October 2016. After the interview, she told my brother that he was a good candidate, but would need to come on a trial basis for a period of time. She also told him that she would figure out which day of the week he should come. She gave him a number of forms to fill out and told him to get a current TB test. He was eager to get all of this done, so shortly after the interview I took him to Kaiser to get everything done.It is February 2017, and I have emailed/called Cristina repeatedly-- borderline groveling and begging. I am extremely disappointed that an organization serving the disabled would treat a disabled person in this manner. Over the years, I have been in touch with numerous organizations that serve the disabled and have never experienced this level of disregard and insensitivity toward a potential enrollee. Every encounter I've had in the past with Bay Area organizations that serve the disabled has been positive. They are generally ran by human beings who are down-to-earth and compassionate-- people who are aware of the sensitivity of disabled people, understand their isolation, and know what NOT to do. In the meantime, my brother is still asking me if I've heard back from Creative Growth.Creative Growth, you are such a great disappointment.