Dear Friend, When you woke up this morning, what was the first thing you did?
My morning always starts with some exercise and a cup of coffee. For many of our artists at Creative Growth, just the simple journey they take to get to our studio each day can be met with challenges that test their resilience and strength daily.
Meet Monica Valentine.
Usually around 6:30am, a talking alarm wakes Monica up and by 7:30am she’s showered, has brushed her teeth, and is choosing her clothes for the day. She loves dressing in monochromatic colors, especially red. After she chooses her clothes, and before she moves to the kitchen, she makes absolutely sure she has earrings that match her outfit. Very important! Once she’s in the kitchen, she makes her morning cup of tea, packs her fanny pack, and creates her lunch for the day all on her own. Her morning routine ends around 9:00am, when she is picked up by Para-Transit and brought to Creative Growth.
Monica’s morning is as ordinary as anyone else’s start to the day, except for one barrier she faces day in and day out.
Monica is completely blind.
Due to an optic nerve disorder, she lost her eyesight as a child and later her eyes as a young adult. As her sister recounts, since Monica was a young child she has had the ability to determine the color of objects by how much heat she feels radiating from them. In the absence of sight, her sense of touch has amplified her ability to navigate the world through her fingertips.
“I love red because it feels warm." - Monica
Since she first walked in the door in 2013, she has flourished in her arts practice of detailed handwork on foam skulls, boxes, and other shapes using pins, sequins, and small beads. Her execution of intricate color patterns defies what some might expect her to do. Her artistic vision and uncanny sense of touch, coupled with the quality resources and support our studio provides has helped Monica’s artistic practice blossom. Monica is changing the way in which the world views artists with visual and developmental impairments.
With your support we will be able to continue supporting 154 resilient and passionate artists like her.
We’ve had an unprecedented year of accomplishments, and with over 60% of our funding coming from individuals like you, your support has helped our artists continue to make their mark in the contemporary art world.
Some of our notable highlights from this past year are:
• The Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. acquired multiple pieces of Dan Miller’s work to be displayed in its permanent collection
• An unparalleled group show of 8 Creative Growth artists opened at the SFO Museum, and was extended through December 2016
• CGAC artists participated in over 22 outside local, national, and international exhibitions, including our artists’ first presence at: Art Fair Tokyo, Japan; D’Dessin Paris Contemporary Drawing Fair, France; and the Codex Book Fair, Richmond, CA
• Judith Scott's revolutionary show Bound & Unbound was exhibited in Canada for the first time this year and will head to Europe in 2017
With your pivotal support today, artists like Monica will have the chance to excel in their personal arts practice, and continue to enjoy the following core program services here at Creative Growth:
• $150,000 of high quality art supplies • Transportation from around the Bay Area to Creative Growth • Lunches for those who are unable to bring food • Exhibitions at galleries in five countries • Support and mentorship from our talented staff six days a week
Monica is a prime example of an artist we are bringing to the forefront of a continually changing conversation around artists with disabilities in both the national and international artistic world. Please join us in this critical conversation and support our work today.
Email me at tom@www.creativegrowth.org if you have questions about what your support will do.
Wishing you peace and creativity this holiday season,
Tom di Maria Director
Jordan King Socks
P.S. With a one-time gift of $250 or a monthly pledge of $15 or more, be the first to receive a special-edition pair of organic cotton socks, designed by new Creative Growth artist, Jordan King.
P.P.S. Remember, you can also shop in our gallery every Saturday in December until Christmas from 10am to 3pm! Or anytime at our online shop.