\ Events & Exhibitions
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Monument at Minnesota Street Project, curated by Ajit Chauhan
From local galleries to international art fairs, our artists have shared their work with the world for over 40 years—shaping contemporary art and redefining inclusion in the arts.
Discover the legacy of Creativity Explored through decades of exhibitions.
Imaginate Saturdays
Join us at Imaginate Saturdays at our colorful studio, where the public can make art alongside our imaginative artists! Supplies provided, drop in as you please. All ages and abilities welcome.
FEELING LANGUAGE
This show is all about comfort text: resilience in everyday words, writing and reading. Expression can also be wordless, the use of line and color as new vocabulary, pushing a thought out onto a surface, making marks and continuously trying to communicate with the world.
We tell stories to sustain ourselves and find each other. These messages embedded in art become an emotional telegram– a signal flare with a flame of memory trailing behind it. Feeling Language is about books, lists, slogans, language, gesture, touch and the trust given in sharing.
Black Gold
Black Gold: Stories Untold invites 17 contemporary artists and collectives to reflect on the resilience, struggles, and triumphs of African Americans who lived in California from the Gold Rush to the Reconstruction period following the Civil War (c. 1849–1877). Through newly commissioned and recent artworks, the exhibition highlights important but lesser-known figures and narratives from California’s history, exploring the presence of slavery and the struggle for legal rights within this “free” state, the successes of Black entrepreneurs, and the experiences of African American Army regiments known as the Buffalo Soldiers. More broadly, Black Gold illuminates the role that Black communities played in the state’s cultural, social, and political environment of the time.
Creativity Explored Outer Space
This summer at Outer Space in Concord, NH—a contemporary gallery situated in an old Victorian mansion that usually pairs two artists to have their work in dialogue together—the space will turn itself over to the San Francisco-based organization Creativity Explored.
Komorebi
Komorebi, a Japanese word without direct English translation, captures the quiet beauty of sunlight filtering through leaves — a fleeting moment where light and shadow meet. This exhibition brings together works that explore subtle rhythms of pattern and the spaces between clarity and obscurity. Like its namesake, Komorebi invites a closer look and a deeper attention to the world around us.
Viva Imaginate: A Carnaval Inspired Event
A Carnaval-Inspired Event For Artists and Creatives
Celebrate Afro-Latinx culture with us at Creativity Explored during SF Carnaval weekend! Enjoy hands-on art-making and a colorful mini-parade featuring wheelchair float displays and tasty food. Carnaval San Francisco has been held every year since 1978. The carnival that turns the streets of the Mission District into one big stage promises its visitors an experience of the unique culture and tradition of Latin America.
All are welcome, but please note registration is required to attend.
The official Carnaval San Francisco parade will take place on May 25, 2025 · 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM. The official parade boasts a 60–60-contingent lineup, with over 3,000 artists representing the cultural heritages of Brazil, Mexico, Panama, Bolivia, Cuba, Peru, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Colombia, Trinidad & Tobago, Guatemala, El Salvador, and more to participate, televised by CBS. The Grand Parade covers 20 blocks in San Francisco’s historic Latino Cultural District in the Mission.
Art Changes Lives 2025
Get ready for an extraordinary evening at Art Changes Lives! This year, we come together to reflect on the pathways that artists take throughout their journey with CE – from their early inspirations to their current creative expressions. You’re part of our journey. Join us as we celebrate the CE community and the many paths that our artists take - as creators and individuals. Your support makes so much possible.
Art Dry Clay Workshop
In conjunction with our all-ceramic exhibition, Main Characters, we’re hosting a hands-on air-dry clay modeling workshop right here in the studio.
Limitless: Celebrating Artists with Disabilities at Bedford Gallery
Recognizing the indelible contributions of artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities working in the visual arts, this exhibition challenges conventional narratives and broadens our understanding of creativity, innovation, and expression. Since Creative Growth’s opening in 1974 and the subsequent launch of NIAD in 1982 and Creativity Explored in 1983, these institutions have been at the forefront of creating visibility for artists with disabilities in the Bay Area. We are honored to present 65 artists—with practices at these organizations—in a comprehensive survey that includes media from ceramics and textiles to figurative and abstract painting and drawing.
Main Characters
Highlighting a wide selection of ceramic sculptures from Creativity Explored's archive, Main Characters brings together a diverse cast of protagonists with intertwined storylines. By placing these unique characters together, new narratives surface with each new context; acting out layered stories within the artist's imagination, their lived experiences, and the larger history of our organization.
A group exhibition of Creativity Explored artists including Andrew Bixler, Gerald Wiggins, Andrew Wong, Nubia Ortega, and many more.
I Wish I Had A Window
A group exhibition of over two hundred artists from seven progressive art making studios at & Byeond Gallery in Oakland.
Fellow Profressive Art Studios featured include Creative Growth, NIAD, Fountain House, Pure Vision, ECF, and Project Onward.
Ethel Revita: Ethereal Material
Ethereal Material, Ethel Revita's first solo exhibition, invites viewers to immerse themselves in the dynamic interplay of color, texture, and pattern that defines her practice. Revita combines a strong understanding of geometric form and an intuitive approach to color, creating an aesthetic realm saturated with generosity and connection. Through Etherial Material, Revita’s vision illuminates a brightness and complexity that simmers with a quiet confidence.
TRIPLETS
Join us for an all day event at Market Market in Palm Springs for the opening of TRIPLETS on November 9th! Come enjoy HiFi vinyl DJ, food, beverage, bar and a SheChimp activation.
All are welcome!
Curator walk-through of All Things in Motion with Jonathan Carver Moore
Join us for a special walk-through of All Things in Motion with guest curator Jonathan Carver Moore.
All Things in Motion
All Things in Motion reminds us that nothing is ever stagnant. We are constantly moving and changing. Whether we are experiencing bliss, mundanity or grief–life does not stop–its flow continues, and we must move along with it.
New Kiln Celebration!
Join us to celebrate our new kiln provided by Helpers Community! Light bites, refreshments, and ceramics to shop galore.
3 Exhibitions at SFMOMA
SFMOMA is showcasing our artists in three exhibitions! Camille Holvoet's artwork is included in Get in the Game: Sports, Art, Culture, Kevin Chu in When the World Is Watching, and Andrew Li in Unity through Skateboarding, all located on the 2nd floor.
Visions - Jack Fischer Gallery
Visions is a group exhibition of Creativity Explored artists James Miles, Elana Cooper, Nubia Ortega, Lance Rivers, and Tranesha Smith-Kilgore.
Progressive Art Education Round Table
In conjunction with our Summer exhibition, Untitled Gestures, Creativity Explored is welcoming Bay Area arts educators for a discussion on innovative approaches to pedagogy.
Crunchyroll X Creativity Explored Open House
Celebrate artists who are influenced by anime, mangaka, and Eastern Art at our shop-able open studio in partnerships with Crunchyroll.
hugomento x CE Group Show
Lift Me Like An Olive Branch
Untitled, 2022 By Selene Perez acrylic monoprint on paper7.50 x 11 in (19.05 x 27.94 cm)
Lift Me Like An Olive Branch is a group show curated by hugomento gallery featuring Creativity Explored artists Andrew Li, Bertha Otoya, Selene Perez, Douglas Sheran, Joseph “JayD” Green, Linda Davenport, and Charlie Barthelet, and Evelyn Reyes.
Opening Reception
July 13th 3-6pm
3:00 – 6:00 PM | Hugomento Gallery
795 22nd St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Common Rhythm ODC Theater
Common Rhythm unites the work of Monic Morris and Joseph Omoleyole to celebrate the role of movement in the creative process. Join Creativity Explored and ODC Theater for the opening of this dynamic show.
Untitled Gesture
Each artist in ‘Untitled Gesture’ offers a highly personal visual language in physical form.
Curated by Leeza Doreian & Patricia Rubio
SF Design Week: Housing Advocacy Project Unveiling
Join us for a multimedia night, as we open our studio doors to welcome new guests, artists, and designers alike to check out our newest work and talk about art, equity, and inclusivity in San Francisco.
Over the past 6 months, Creativity Explored artists have united in working to envision a better future centered around access to safe and inclusive housing for all. Thanks to the support of the Bay Area Creative Corps grant, we’ve had the opportunity to bring this vision to life through art making and personal testimonies, culminating in a multimedia project that highlights issues that people with disabilities face in and around housing, and their wishes for the future of disability housing, and housing in general, in the Bay Area.
We will be unveiling this important project and hearing from the artists at Creativity Explored directly about their work on this project. Join us as we unveil the collaborative artwork and compelling video projects featuring their interviews and advocacy efforts.
Imaginate Saturdays
Join us at Imaginate Saturdays at our colorful studio, where the public can make art alongside our imaginative artists!
Imaginate Saturday
Mental Health Awareness with Sakura
Kevin Roach using Sakura Pigma Mircon Pens
Join Creativity Explored and our longtime partner, Sakura of America, as we come together to champion mental health awareness this May. Experience a one-of-a-kind Imaginate Saturday, thoughtfully crafted to delve into the impact of anxiety. With the support of Sakura's quality art supplies, beloved by our artists, we invite you to join us in uncovering the serene rhythm of image repetition and flow. Find inspiration in the mesmerizing works of CE artists as we explore the depths of Creativity and engage in a guided bookmaking workshop, shedding light on the healing connection between art and anxiety.
“I feel happier when I make art. The world can be very overwhelming and I feel a real bond at CE, making art here brings me a lot of joy.”
- Kevin Roach
Slowtide X CE
Join us at the ‘For Good’ charity art show produced by Slowtide & curated by Art Helps Heaps to benefit us at Creativity Explored! 100% of the net proceeds will be donated to Creativity Explored.
This charity art show brings together unique towel designs from a select group of talented and generous artists, including our own Samedi Djeimguero!
With only 40 towels available per artist, each piece is a limited edition gem. Guests at the in-person events in Costa Mesa, Newport, Los Angeles, and Ventura will have the opportunity to browse and purchase these exclusive artworks, displayed gallery-style.
As the weather warms up, these towels offer both practicality and style, whether you're building your art collection or hitting the beach!
Can't make it in person? Keep an eye out for the online launch on May 20th, where these exclusive towels will be available for purchase.
Featuring the art of:
Cali Dewitt, Samedi Djeimguero, Bailey Elder, Eric Elms, Roy Fowler, Evan Hecox, Julian Klincewicz, Ruby Neri, Russ Pope, Alexis Ross, Jenny Sharaf, C.r. Stecyk Iii & Ed Templeton
Save the Date :
5/15 - Costa Mesa @ Skullcandy 7-9 PM Address: 2955 Randolph Av, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
5/16 - Oceanside @ The Hill Street Country Club 7-9 PM Address: 530 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054
5/17 - Los Angeles @ The 3120 Creative 7-9 PM Address: 3118 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90026
5/19 - Ventura @ INDOEK Gallery 3-7 PM. Address: 432 N Ventura Ave Studio 30. Ventura, CA 93001
The events are free to attend, all ages are welcome.
Space is limited, please RSVP HERE !
Thank you to Art Helps Heaps, a Social Enterprise that aims to make creativity accessible to everybody through a sustainable and long-term approach to collaboration, and in the process do good and raise awareness of genetic disorders and rare diseases. Since its inception in 2022, Art Helps Heaps has raised and donated just over $74,000 through the development of products by collaborating with generous artists who answer our call.
Art Changes Lives 2024
At Art Changes Lives this year, we are celebrating you — for making an unprecedented year of opportunities for our artists possible. With milestone acquisitions, exhibitions, and publications around the Bay, our community is experiencing the power of being seen. Join us for an evening like never before, as we harness this incredible moment to open new doors for artists with disabilities in 2024.
BACC Housing Workshop
Join us for a community focused afternoon and an opportunity to participate in a Creativity Explored video project focused on housing for people with disabilities.
Housing is a crucial issue in the Bay Area, but it has a disproportionate burden on the disabled community. Our artists at Creativity Explored envision a San Francisco where everyone, regardless of ability, has access to safe and inclusive housing. Thanks to the support of the Bay Area Creative Corps grant, we have the opportunity to bring this vision to life through art and personal testimonies. Come be a part of this important project and help us create a more inclusive and supportive community for all.
The Record Store Night!
Join us at Creativity Explored and BFF.fm for a night of music and art on April 5th from 5-8 p.m.! DJ Lead Teddy and Lonald J. Bandz will provide the groove while you enjoy the party. Bring your own records to swap and shirts or totes for screen printing. Don't forget to check out our current exhibition, 'The Record Store.' Come together with us to celebrate art, music, and community—you won't want to miss it!