November 27, 2013
Dear Friend of Creative Growth,
It took vision to start a program like Creative Growth.
Forty years ago, Florence and Elias Katz put a table in their garage, filled it with paint and paper, and invited newly de-institutionalized people with disabilities to come and express themselves.
It seems like a simple idea today, but most simple ideas were revolutionary at the time. We will never know who made the first painting in the Creative Growth garage, but we do know how things have changed since it was made. Consider:
Creative Growth and the Katz’s model have fostered the development of at least 27 similar programs in California, New York, Ohio, Canada, Japan and South Korea.
What will the next 40 years bring?
Creative Growth sees its role as fostering the personal and artistic development of our artists so that they will continue to challenge stereotypes about disability, and become cultural leaders and decision makers at their own Center.
Creative Growth artists like Dan Miller now serve as supporters and donors of the Center, and it is our goal to have him and his colleagues as involved as possible in making choices that affect their lives.
This year, we started a new program that gives our artists a quarterly budget to implement new programs and make independent choices about what they do at Creative Growth. They’ve already selected recreational activities, and programs that support self-acceptance and personal growth.
The Katz’s imagined a studio and gallery where the artists work in a large open space, where their work was displayed and sold. But it is unlikely that they imagined the level of exposure that some of our artists have had in galleries, museums and art fairs worldwide.
Yet for every artist like Dan Miller or Judith Scott, there are 162 others here, whose names you may never know...and our work with them is just as important.
Forty years should tell you that our commitment is a serious one. We have a history of giving our people years to find their way. More often than not, the surprise always comes. Another person moves forward with vision and determination and makes work that surprises us in its intensity or beauty.
You've believed in our people from the start. Your support makes our work possible, and we are deeply appreciative. We use your contributions to foster a dream of achievement in everyone who crosses the threshold from the street into our studio.
Our artists often overcome difficult circumstances as they find their way. That can give them the power to connect their lives to yours – from artist to viewer.
“The artworks have such intensity and are so unique that we forget their background. The paintings of Dan Miller leave no hesitation: what we are seeing belongs to the core of contemporary art.” – Philippe Dagen, October, 2013 The above quote comes from a leading French art critic in one of Paris’ most respected papers, Le Monde. The essay characterizes not only how powerful Dan’s work is, but how the paintings allow both artist and viewer to transcend the difficult circumstances that led to their creation. It’s the Creative Growth story.
Today, I am asking for you to contribute to our work, and to the future of our programs and people.
Our goals for next year include:
There is simply no room in our operating budget for additional items like those above, but they are so important for our people and programs. I hope you’ll be able to help.
Please take a moment now to make a year-end gift. It makes a big difference. If you’re not sure what it will do or how it will impact our people, call me directly at 510-836-2340 x-13 or email me at tom@www.creativegrowth.org so that I may answer your questions and describe how important and impactful your gift will be.
The next 40 years will not happen without your support. Please be a visionary supporter and help us implement our goals for the next generation.
Thank you for being a part of our history, and for investing in our future.
Best Wishes,
Tom di Maria, Director
P.S. Make a year end tax deductible gift of $250, or become a monthly sustaining donor of $20 a month or more and you’ll receive a set of four Limited Edition Creative Growth drinking glasses with artwork by Aurie Ramirez, Donald Mitchell, Sallie Williams and William Tyler. Make a Donation Here
(Pour lire en Français, défilez vers le bas)
The “Living Room” installation nods to Creative Growth’s humble beginnings — the late Florence and Elias Katz started the organization in their own home 40 years ago — and features art from the center’s many participants.
An untitled painting by Aurie Ramirez.
An untitled painting by Dan Miller.
Archival Exhibition Posters
Dwight Mackintosh, Untitled, 1988, Ink and Prismacolor on paper
Louis Estape, Untitled, 2001, Pen on paper
George Kellogg, Untitled, 1984, Ink and tempera paint on paper
