Creative Growth AT 50
Welcome to the Creative Growth Art Center as we reflect on our 50th Anniversary in 2024 and look forward with excitement to the next 50 years. This milestone marked half a century of fostering artistic expression, inclusivity, and community. Since our inception, we’ve been at the forefront of empowering artists with disabilities, providing a nurturing and joy-filled space for creativity to flourish. In 2024, we commemorated our journey with special events, an unprecedented exhibition in partnership with SFMOMA, and stories of inspiration that defined our legacy. Stay tuned as we continue to share updates, celebrate creativity, and build upon the spirit that has been the cornerstone of our mission for over five decades.
CURRENT EXHIBITION
THE HOME SHOW
ON VIEW FROM May 9th, 2025 THROUGH july 5th, 2025
Creative Growth’s beloved Home Show returns with an inspiring new installation of artwork and homewares. From vibrant ceramics and textiles to sculptural furniture and functional design pieces, this year’s exhibition highlights work by more than 50 Creative Growth artists.
Whether you’re looking to collect something meaningful or simply experience the joy of imaginative living, the Home Show is a must-see.
All proceeds support the 140+ artists who call Creative Growth their home.
CURRENT SPOTLIGHT
CREATIVE GROWTH ARTISTS SHINE ON CBS SUNDAY MORNING
We are thrilled to share that Creative Growth was recently featured on CBS Sunday Morning.
The segment highlights our remarkable artists as we celebrated our 50th anniversary in 2024. This national spotlight underscores the transformative power of art and the incredible talents of our community of artists with disabilities.
CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Luke Burbank took viewers inside our Oakland-based studio, where creativity flourishes daily. It showcased the vibrant works of our artists, their unique processes, and the profound impact their art has on audiences worldwide.
As we commemorate five decades of fostering inclusion in the arts, this feature is a testament to the enduring vision of our founders, Florence and Elias Katz. Their mission to create a space where artists with disabilities can thrive continues to inspire our work today. The CBS spotlight also highlighted the broader cultural impact of Creative Growth, from international exhibitions to collaborations with major brands.
This milestone anniversary has been filled with joy and reflection. From our recent exhibitions to the upcoming gala at SFMOMA, we are honored to celebrate the achievements of our artists and the community that supports them. The CBS feature amplifies the voices of our artists, reminding the world of the importance of accessibility, creativity, and inclusion in the arts.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire CBS Sunday Morning family and in particular, Wonbo Woo, for sharing our story and to all who continue to champion our mission.
"I cannot think of a more important art institution in the United States. They pioneered the whole model of working with artists with disabilities." - Katy Siegel, SFMOMA's Research Director
SHOP CREATIVE GROWTH
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
WILLIAM SCOTT
View the process behind Praise Frisco: Peace and Love in the City, a work commissioned by SFMOMA as part of Creative Growth's landmark exhibition The House That Art Built. This piece captures artist William Scott’s optimistic vision of San Francisco, where his vibrant imagination transforms the city's architecture into an idealized urban landscape. Documented by Creative Growth staff, the creation of this work highlights Scott’s artistic journey, as seen in his Bay Area Walls mural. With bold colors and expressive brushstrokes, Scott conveys a hopeful and dynamic perspective of the city, celebrating peace, love, and community in his reimagined San Francisco.
CURRENT AND PAST EXHIBITIONS
NEWS & EVENTS
Visit The Creative Growth Art Center
Creative Growth Art Center is located in the Downtown/Lake Merritt area of Oakland, California. We are a 10 minute stroll to the lake. Our two-story tall art center was originally an auto shop and has tall ceilings and big windows. We are surrounded by still functioning auto shops, restaurants, newly constructed tall buildings, and a few historic homes. Our studio and gallery have separate entrances. The studio entrance is the most accessible for wheelchairs and other mobility aid users. Inside, the studio and gallery are connected by a long ramp. In the back of the studio there are accessible, gendered bathrooms. To access a single-stall gender neutral restroom, please ask a staff member. Outside, there is a wooden parklet to sit and rest in.
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