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Vessels

Gallery Exhibition

Artists with developmental disabilities from San Francisco’s Creativity Explored think outside the box for this exhibition of handmade containers for the home

March 9 – April 27, 2006
Opening Reception: Thursday, March 9 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm

SAN FRANCISCO…Form and function take center stage in “Vessels,” a new exhibition at Creativity Explored, a visual arts center for adults with developmental disabilities in San Francisco’s Mission District. A huge variety of handmade and hand-decorated containers for the home will be on display. The exhibition runs March 9th through April 27th and opens with a reception on March 9th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. The gallery is regularly open Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and Saturday from 1:00 to 6:00 pm. All artwork is available for purchase through the gallery.

The exhibit is part of a popular and highly anticipated annual tradition at the gallery of presenting functional artwork. Curator and art instructor Douglas Morris who was charged with heading up this year’s functional art show says inspiration came in an unlikely way. “Vessels was inspired by the Container Store of all things,” says “I had never been in, but I got a gift certificate. I was amazed at all of the shapes and all of the different kinds of containers. I thought, ‘This is our show.’”

Morris was particularly drawn to containers since he felt a project that was more sculptural and tactile would allow those artists at Creativity Explored with limited dexterity to participate. Morris and several other instructors work at the organization’s second studio in Potrero Hill, home to a small group of artists, many of who have severe physical disabilities in addition to developmental disabilities. “I saw an opportunity for these artists. Maybe they couldn’t make the container from scratch, but they certainly could add decoration to an existing form.”

He began to collect all sorts of objects that could be added to and turned into vessels, dumpster diving and asking around the neighborhood for donations. An enormous donated urn is a centerpiece of the show. A collaborative project, it has been developed in three stages by several individual artists. Eric Boysaw tiled the base in mosaic patterns using tiles hand-painted by fellow artist Norman Ballou. Then Ann Yamasaki jumped in, crusting the rim with a whole army of toy soldiers. The occasional plastic lizard and baby doll join the battle scene as well.

Everything from bowls to vases to lunchboxes and even an animal carrier will be on display as well. Steven Gin has created a set of toolboxes covered in his signature low rider car paintings. And Eric Boysaw contributes a mosaic dragon that can be used as a planter. There are also small sets of drawers for storing jewelry or knick knacks by Norman Ballou that are covered with portraits of The Beatles, lots of ceramic bowls and a number of papier mache pieces created in a special workshop with visiting artist Jane Kitchell.

Calendar Listing

Vessels

GROUP ART EXHIBITION AND OPENING: Artists with developmental disabilities from San Francisco’s Creativity Explored think outside the box with “Vessels,” an exhibition of handmade containers for the home. Form and function take center stage in this show, part of a popular and highly anticipated annual tradition at the gallery of presenting functional artwork. Everything from bowls to vases to lunchboxes and even an animal carrier will be on display and available for purchase. Artist Steven Gin has created a set of toolboxes covered in his signature low rider car paintings. And Eric Boysaw contributes a mosaic dragon that can be used as a planter. Anne Yamasaki’s enormous urn bristles with an army of toy soldiers and the occasional duck.

What

Vessels – A group exhibition of handmade and hand-decorated containers by artists with developmental disabilities at San Francisco’s Creativity Explored

When

• Opening Reception: Thursday, March 9, 2006 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
• Exhibit Dates and Times: March 9 – April 27, 2006, Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Saturday 1:00 to 6:00 pm

Where

Creativity Explored Gallery
3245 Sixteenth St. at Guerrero, San Francisco

Creativity Explored is a nonprofit visual arts center where artists with developmental disabilities create, exhibit, and sell art.

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# Posted on January 23, 2006