Creativity Explored

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.

Our gallery may be closed this week while we install our next show, but you can still catch CE artists on view as part o...
04/03/2026

Our gallery may be closed this week while we install our next show, but you can still catch CE artists on view as part of 'Beyond Barriers,' the current exhibition at student-run PLAySPACE Gallery ()!

CE artists Christina Marie Fong, Camille Holvoet, and Mary Ann Orozco each had a piece selected to be part of the show, and Camille and Mary Ann dropped by earlier this week to see their work on display. Don't miss it!

On view through April 10
145 Hooper Street
Open daily 9:00 am–9:00 pm
Closing Reception: Wednesday, April 8, 6:00–8:00 pm

Artworks:
Camille Holvoet, 80 or 90 years old. Camille is Old Now, 2013, ink and watercolor on paper, 22.25 x 15 in.

Christina Marie Fong, She Creature, 2017, acrylic and paint pen on canvas, 24.25 x 20.25 x 2 in.

Mary Ann Orozco, ... Memory, 2024, acrylic on paper, 29.75 x 22.25 in.

⏰ Last chance — Hung Kei Shiu: Color Field closes Saturday!These are the final days to catch our current solo exhibition...
03/27/2026

⏰ Last chance — Hung Kei Shiu: Color Field closes Saturday!

These are the final days to catch our current solo exhibition featuring work by Hung Kei Shiu, one of Creativity Explored's first artists who began with us nearly 40 years ago. Don't miss it!

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.

Gallery hours:
Thursdays: 3:00–6:00 pm
Fridays: 3:00–6:00 pm
Saturdays: 12:00–5:00 pm

❤️ Love this interview in with our friend and supporter Jack Fischer in which he sits down with Hugh Leeman to discuss ...
03/25/2026

❤️ Love this interview in with our friend and supporter Jack Fischer in which he sits down with Hugh Leeman to discuss the revered history of his recently closed and how Bay Area progressive studios like Creativity Explored, , and have inspired him! Read the full article here: https://www.roborantreview.com/reviews/d40mozfr553vfaxmywqxabcb7gwqz1

"One of the issues I had from the very beginning was that I railed against it being called 'outsider.' It diminishes the work. It puts it outside of our world. I considered it a misnomer. It's not outsider art. It's not insider art. It's just art. That was the raison d'être for why I opened the gallery. I wanted to expose the world to the fact that this is work where there was no intent of 'I am going to paint a masterpiece.' It was: I can't help but make work. I can't help but do this. And I know from many of the artists I've worked with — artists who are not neurodivergent, not so-called outsiders — that they understand that driven quality. I do this because I have to. I have no choice.

When you walk into Creativity Explored, or into NIAD, or into other centers like Creative Growth, you meet artists who are driven to make work...It's real. It's heart. It's emotional. That's what drives it — the emotion, not the intellect. And that, to me, is the most important thing in artwork. The heart."

We couldn't agree more, Jack!

Images:
1. Jack Fischer
2–3: Screenshots from Roborant Review
4. CE artist Elana Cooper's work in Jack Fischer Gallery
5. Elana Cooper in the gallery
7–7. CE artist Camille Holvoet's Untitled, 2018 and Untitled, 2020 from her 2025 exhibition at Jack Fischer Gallery

Time to get excited about the next show coming to the CE Gallery, which celebrates this beautiful city we share!"Pretty ...
03/24/2026

Time to get excited about the next show coming to the CE Gallery, which celebrates this beautiful city we share!

"Pretty City" is a journey through the unique neighborhoods of San Francisco from the perspectives of JayD Green, Isaias Gomez, Camille Holvoet, Lance Rivers, Guadalupe Ramos, and Enkh-Amar Shagdarguntev. By highlighting the visual intricacy just outside our front doors, Pretty City transforms our typical streets into captivating dreamscapes. Curated by CE Teaching Artist Tom Leach.

"Pretty City" opens Thursday, April 9 — you can RSVP for the opening reception here: https://www.creativityexplored.org/events-exhibitions/pretty-city

Artworks:
Lance Rivers, SF Diamond Heights Land Cap, 2025, colored pencil on paper, 17.75 x 20 in.

Joseph "JayD" Green, Laguna & Hayes Valley, 2024, mixed media on paper, 16.25 x 22.5 in.

Enkh-Amar Shagdarguntev, 571 Hayes Street, 2025, marker and watercolor on paper, 15.25 x 13.75 in.

Camille Holvoet, 87 Apollo Street, 2023, mixed media on paper, 15 x 22.75 in.

Guadalupe Ramos, Victorian Dream, 2019, mixed media on paper, 22.5 × 15.25 in.

Isaias Gomez, Once A Cruisin' Time in Folsom, 2025, acrylic on paper, 23 x 28 in.

Lance Rivers, Untitled, ca. 2025, colored pencil on wood, 15.25 × 11.25 × 0.75 in.

Joseph "JayD" Green, Untitled, 2024, marker and watercolor on paper, 20 x 15.5 in.

Enkh-Amar Shagdarguntev, Parkside Houses, 2025, marker and watercolor on paper, 15.5 x 21.5 in.

Camille Holvoet, Untitled, 2023, marker on paper, 14.5 x 22.25 in.

CE's booth is ready for prime time ! We're pretty excited about our setup this year — big thanks to Sterling Graphics ()...
03/20/2026

CE's booth is ready for prime time ! We're pretty excited about our setup this year — big thanks to Sterling Graphics () for helping make our vision a reality in vinyl!
⁠
The fair is open 11:00 am–8:00 pm Friday and Saturday, and 11:00–6:00 on Sunday. There are a ton of great artist talks and panels today — swipe over to get the schedule!

Who's ready for ?! This week our Exhibitions team is in New York setting up for one of our favorite art fairs of the yea...
03/16/2026

Who's ready for ?! This week our Exhibitions team is in New York setting up for one of our favorite art fairs of the year, and we're super excited to show off the work we've brought with us by CE artists.

Here's a sneak peek, with more to come in a few days. And if you're in NY this weekend, be sure to visit us at booth C3!

Artworks:
1. Douglas Sheran, Untitled, ca. 2005, acrylic on magazine page13 x 10 in.

2. Jesus Huezo Cardenas, Untitled, 2025, acrylic on paper14.5 x 14 in.

3. Gerald Wiggins, Untitled, 2020, soldered wood and acrylic23.75 x 24 in.

4. Vincent Jackson, Untitled, 2025, wax crayon on paper13 x 9.75 in.

Camp Imaginate is approaching! 🎨🌟 It's time to register your campers for our spring break and summer art camps! 🖌️ Camp ...
03/12/2026

Camp Imaginate is approaching! 🎨🌟 It's time to register your campers for our spring break and summer art camps!

🖌️ Camp Imaginate is an inclusive art camp where students of all abilities are able to explore their creativity and have fun with art!

What to expect:
🖼️ Hands-on art making in painting, ceramics, fiber arts, and more
👩‍🎨 Sessions led by professional teaching artists
🪁 Inclusive, person-centered, and fun programming with lots of socializing opportunities
💗 Special focus on young people with disabilities
😃 Affordable and flexible pricing

🔗 Learn more + register now: https://www.creativityexplored.org/camp-imaginate

Image descriptions:
1. A camper with blonde hair and a blue Warriors sweatshirt smiles at the camera with paintbrush in hand. He sits next to a staff member with blonde hair, wearing a black mask. They are at a table with paintbrushes, acrylic paints, and a canvas on an easle that the camper has painted with red, yellow, grey, and black paint in an abstract style.
2. White text on an orange square details "Sessions" "Spring Break: •March 30-April 3 Summer Camp: •June 15-26 •June 29-July 10 •July 13-July 24 •July 27-August 7. White text on a turquoise square reads "Pricing" "Spring Break: •$265.99 (1-week session) Summer Camp: •$525.99 (2-week session) Scholarships and flexible pricing available. Below is a photo of an artist with brown curly hair, magenta eye glasses, and a light pink sweatshirt with Christmas ornaments on it, smiling at the camera. She stands in the art studio in front of one of her framed abstract art pieces.
3. A photo shows a colorful decorated poster that says "Camp Imaginate" in black bold letters. Below, text reads "Register Now at campimaginate.org" with additional contact information reading "(415) 863-2108" and "camp@creativityexplored.org"

📆 Save the Date!Art Changes Lives Gala CelebrationFriday, April 24Fort Mason Gateway PavillionMark your calendars for CE...
03/07/2026

📆 Save the Date!
Art Changes Lives Gala Celebration

Friday, April 24
Fort Mason Gateway Pavillion

Mark your calendars for CE's annual fundraising celebration, where we cheer on our artists of all ages and come together to enable them to transcend all limitations. Stay tuned for more details and ticket access!

Have questions in the meantime? Contact us at development@creativityexplored.org.

Just a few weeks left to catch the current exhibition in our main gallery, Hung Kei Shiu: Color Field! Hung Kei has been...
03/06/2026

Just a few weeks left to catch the current exhibition in our main gallery, Hung Kei Shiu: Color Field!

Hung Kei has been working with CE for nearly 40 years, from way back near the when the studio first opened, and we're thrilled to be able to shine a light on his amazing work. Be sure to swing by and check it out before the show closes!

Creativity Explored Gallery
3245 16th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

Gallery hours:
Thursdays: 3:00–6:00 pm
Fridays: 3:00–6:00 pm
Saturdays: 12:00–5:00 pm

🌸 Spring forward with us! 🌸The weather's getting warmer, it's lighter later, and the CE studios are bursting with light ...
03/06/2026

🌸 Spring forward with us! 🌸

The weather's getting warmer, it's lighter later, and the CE studios are bursting with light and energy! To celebrate the season, our Gallery team has assembled some bright and colorful pieces by our community of artists to freshen up your space.

🔗 Visit the shop to check out the newly curated selection of sunny specialties: https://www.creativityexplored.org/shop/march-spring-luck

Artworks:
1. Kevin Chu, Violets, 2020, mixed media on paper, 16 x 20 in.
2. James Nielsen, Untitled, 2024, acrylic, ink and watercolor on paper, 22 x 22 in.
3. Ayana Norwood, Untitled, 2022, mixed media on paper, 18.5 x 22 in.
4. Nubia Ortega, Untitled, 2021, mixed media on paper, 11 x 17 in.
5. Kevin Roach, Untitled (Drips I), 2019, mixed media on paper, 22.5 x 15.25 in.
6. Albert Duong, Untitled (Peter Rabbit), 2023, graphite and colored pencil on paper, 16 x 14 in.
7. Donna Osborn, Untitled, 2024, watercolor on paper, 12 x 16.5 in.
8. Carlos Guillen, Hummingbird, 2024, graphite and watercolor on paper, 11.5 x 14.5 in.
9. Stella Tse, Untitled, 2023, watercolor on paper, 22.5 x 30 in.

We're excited to have part of the CE team on the ground in Tokyo this week, with our Director of Art Partnerships Harrie...
02/27/2026

We're excited to have part of the CE team on the ground in Tokyo this week, with our Director of Art Partnerships Harriet Salmon participating on the jury of the Art Prize 2026!

The Heralbony Art Prize is an international art award established in 2024 to provide a platform for artists with disabilities from around the world, regardless of their professional status, age, or nationality, to showcase their creative power and support the blossoming of their careers.The prize includes a Grand Prize and Jury Awards selected by professionals such as curators and gallery directors, as well as Corporate Awards sponsored by companies that align with Heralbony's vision of reshaping the image of "disability and art." The exhibition of award-winning works will present unique creations expressed through diverse materials, techniques, and styles, delivering the power of expression to a wide audience.

We'll be looking forward to the announcement of the selected winners, coming next month! Find out more about the jury here: https://artprize.heralbony.jp/en/judges/



Camp Imaginate is going to be so much fun! 🎨🌟 We are now registering youth campers for our spring break and summer art c...
02/25/2026

Camp Imaginate is going to be so much fun! 🎨🌟 We are now registering youth campers for our spring break and summer art camps!

🖌️Camp Imaginate is an inclusive art camp where students of all abilities are able to explore their creativity and have fun with art!

What to expect:
🖼️ Hands-on art making in painting, ceramics, fiber arts, and more
👩‍🎨 Sessions led by professional teaching artists
🪁 Inclusive, person-centered, and fun programming with lots of socializing opportunities
💗 Special focus on young people with disabilities
😃 Affordable and flexible pricing

🔗 Learn more + register now: https://www.creativityexplored.org/camp-imaginate

Spring Session:⁠
March 30–April 3⁠
⁠
Summer Sessions:⁠
June 15–26⁠
June 29–July 10⁠
July 13–24⁠
July 27–August 7

Address

3245 16th Street
San Francisco, CA
94103

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

+14158632108

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Creativity Explored posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Creativity Explored:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram