2023 was an exceptional year for Creative Growth Art Center, with a slew of remarkable achievements and recognition from the press, major institutions, and art fairs. Here is a recap of the Center's standout moments:
WE HIRED A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR!
In 2023, Creative Growth appointed Ginger Shulick Porcella to lead the organization as its new Executive Director. Porcella joined Creative Growth from Franconia Sculpture Park in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Porcella has been selected to further the organization’s vision of bringing art and access to everyone, fostering a culture of care and respect, and amplifying the disability arts community through radical visibility and artistic expression.
SFMOMA Partnership
Creative Growth made headlines in The New York Times with a groundbreaking story highlighting the largest museum acquisition in its history. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) acquired a significant collection of artworks from Creative Growth artists, solidifying the Center's impact on the contemporary art scene on the eve of its 50th Anniversary of 2024.
Into the Brightness Exhibition at Oakland Museum of California:
In collaboration with three profound Bay Area institutions, Into the Brightness: Artists from Creativity Explored, Creative Growth & NIAD celebrates myriad works from contemporary artists with developmental disabilities. From painting to sculpture to multimedia, these world-renowned artists are producing work of incredible power, exuberance, humor, complexity, and joy.
Into the Brightness presents a variety of dynamic perspectives from the artists’ personal experiences of the world. This original, collaborative exhibition is the largest museum exhibition in over a decade featuring artists from the three local organizations –Creativity Explored in San Francisco, Creative Growth in Oakland, and NIAD (Nurturing Independence Through Artistic Development) Art Center in Richmond.
External Exhibitions and Art Fairs
Creative Growth Art Center participated in prestigious exhibitions, art fairs and events around the world including two fine art fairs, three museum acquisitions, six gallery consignments, four outgoing loans, three marketplace events, three Oakland exhibitions, eight artist-led installations, three artist workshops, five first fridays, three Beyond Trend events, three brand collaborations, two artist murals, and one Artist-Curated Exhibition. Key highlights are listed below:
Outsider Art Fair, a premier event for self-taught and outsider artists drawing art collectors, enthusiasts, and curators eager to explore the innovative and unconventional works on display.
Creative Growth group showing at 16th Edition of Drawing Now Paris
William Scott at the Independent Art Fair in New York
“Beautiful Peace on Earth” A group Show at Diane Rosenstein Gallery in Los Angeles
Lauren Dare Solo Show with Sargent’s Daughters West
Aurie Ramirez Solo Exhibition at Summertime Gallery - NYC
Creative Growth at NADA Miami 2023
Collaborations and Partnerships
Throughout the year, Creative Growth cultivated meaningful partnerships with leading global brands, further establishing itself as a leader in the disability arts movement. 2023 brand partnerships of note included a graphic T-shirt collaboration with Madewell, a limited-edition capsule with Baggu, a sustainably-minded partnership with luxury brand Erica Tanov and an eye-catching collab with New York-based 6397 The News.
Community Involvement
Creative Growth remained deeply committed to its local community, hosting artist talks and workshops, outreach programs, and educational initiatives that empowered individuals of all abilities to tap into their creative potential.
Awards and Recognition
Creative Growth Art Center has been selected to participate in the prestigious Art in Embassies program, shining a spotlight on its exceptional contributions to the world of art and inclusivity. Through this partnership, Creative Growth will showcase the unique talents of its artists, emphasizing the power of creativity to transcend boundaries and connect diverse communities. As an ambassador of artistic expression, Creative Growth continues to bridge the gap between disability and artistry, inspiring global audiences and promoting a more inclusive and diverse cultural landscape.
In 2023, Creative Growth Art Center reached new heights, solidifying its position as a global leader in supporting artists with disabilities. With groundbreaking museum acquisitions, successful exhibitions, and participation in prestigious art fairs, the Center continued to redefine the boundaries of contemporary art while fostering inclusivity and diversity in the art world. 2024 marks the center’s 50th anniversary and promises even more remarkable achievements and opportunities for its talented and inspiring artists.
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