Creative Growth Art Center

Absolutely love the artwork from Creative Growth! The talent and originality of the artists is incredible — every piece tells a story. This space is so important; it empowers artists with developmental disabilities to thrive and share their unique voices. I highly recommend visiting the gallery and supporting this amazing community—you’ll walk away inspired (and probably with some art you’ll treasure forever). The staff and artists have a created a vortex of joy right in the middle of Oakland.

My son goes to here twice of a week. Staffs are very kind, and the place has safe environment with variety of art supplies including digital art. My son has enjoyed making his masterpieces.

Went to an art show opening that was spectacular. What an amazing program, great mission. Right in the heart of Oakland.

An amazing project I admire deeply. Congrats to all the people involved.

A unique must do: read and learn about the history and founders of this very special place. Visit the art gallery, volunteer/support, shop for art and home decor, attend the yearly fashion show of custom-designed clothes or other event. The artwork produced is world- class and the community of artist and staff are very kind.

Just beautiful and inspiring expose on Sunday morning of your studios. I would love to be involved as a volunteer in Mpls. Mn, and will search you. Thank you for bringing the beauty of expression thru any medium!

Really amazing what they do here in terms of art and the community. Definitely worth checking out

I bought a skirt for $275, wore it a couple of times, and it fell apart. When I asked if they could fix it, they said it was "wearable art" and that I should feel lucky I was able to wear it. I did not feel lucky, I felt their artists should have some guidance so the fabrics they use don't fall apart after having been hardly worn, and the seams don't disintegrate. For this kind of price tag, a certain respect of the buyer, even if it's understood the sale helps support the effort, could be expected. Buying from a not for profit shouldn't mean the product goes in a trashcan so soon. I hope the artists there have a better experience than people trying to support the efforts of this institute.

Just saw a segment on CBS Sunday Morning about this group. The story was inspiring and uplifting. I had never heard of it. And the artists are amazing individuals who create beautiful unique pieces.

I came by here for a street fair, and full disclosure, I worked for the founder in my first job out of college at another art center. The event went til 6, but was over about an hour or so before that. I was greeted by a nice young man who does transportation for some of the artists. They have art that I've seen before in my other visits. I'm not sure of the value because I'm not fully familiar with their inventory, nor do I know the artists. I know that they do work with professionals to collaborate and complete their art. It was fun, and I'd go to another opening if they had one.

Seriously? I was so sure I had told you about Creative Growth earlier. So horrid me, the professed I only write about beautiful things I love. And I didn't begin here? I am so sorry. Reading Jessica's post a moment ago on Creativity Explored, a venue in SF that sounds quite similar to CG, I suddenly realized. Oh mylanta! I'm remiss. I do know I posted an event here, the September opening of their CG undergarment and art show. That's right, these guys know how to develop. My favorite pair of undertrousers is a piece of art. I could go somewhere with this but I choose not to. Creative Growth and its staff provide therapy through art to adults with developmental disabilities. The space is spacious and the media wide-ranging. I've visited mostly during receptions, but I don't for a second believe that the smiles on the artist's faces are painted only for that evening. No, I believe they endure. The out of the corner of my eye glance at staff shows their halos. No wonder the smiles. No wonder the love. As with Miss J. at the place across the bay, this is an excellent locale for the holiday present, and the shekels you'll leave will be put to such a productive purpose. The Holiday Show opens on December 3, during the so cool Oakland Art Murmur. Come downtown to CG on the 3rd and your first two big PBRs will be on me. I'm not kidding. Come.

What a wonderful place. I just purchased a piece from Creative Growth for a Valentine's Day gift and was so happy to have found this spot of sunshine tucked away on 24th. Looking forward to going back soon.

Someone recently asked if I had any resolutions for the New Year. I silently thumbed through the usual medley-drink less, eat more veggies, no coffee after noon-but said that I didn't have any. Then my neurons fired, my eyes lit up and I proclaimed, "go to Creative Growth as often as possible." Nique F and Markus N both penned reviews that capture the ineffable spirit of this awesome and awe-inspiring place. I don't have much to add, but I'm going to leave my virtual enthusiasm anyway, for yelpsterity's sake. CG is a fully equipped studio that brings art therapy to adults with developmental disabilities and regularly features their works in their adjacent gallery. On First Fridays they keep their doors open late so that you can peer through the eyes of these talented folks who see the world so differently, yet so directly. There can be as many perspectives on one object as there are New Year's resolutions, and the staff and volunteers at CG help these artists actualize their talent by providing the space, supplies, and loving kindness. During their First Friday holiday show, this place was abuzz and aglow, and not just from the drinks being consumed by yours truly. I appreciate that there wasn't a fetishistic devotion to the abnormal, or an 'us'/'them' paradigm. I often couldn't distinguish shopper from artist from staff, and everyone interacted as neighbors, friends, or friends-to-be. The items I purchased here are some of my favorite things in my apartment-a ceramic elephant, a great sketch by Sylvia, and a Christmas gift for a friend which is yet to be gifted, but that I will miss seeing everyday. I am resolute. I will be here. Every first Friday. Won't you join me?

It's pretty amazing that all of the art here has been created by people with disabilities. It just goes to show that if you try, you can create art. This is one of the biggest galleries on the list for the Oakland Art Murmur and it's probably one of the most interesting. There's plenty of space to roam and you can see just about every different kind of art on the wall. I know one of my friends said if they had money to throw around they would invest in this place, I couldn't agree more. It's definitely well worth seeking out. I will stop here again for sure.

This is a VERY inspiring establishment. Full of treasures to discover, not only in the Gallery and on the walls, but the people here too! Check out my blog as I walk through the pages of the book "This is Oakland" and document my experiences with many of the cities gems. www.discoverthisisoakland.tumblr.com

There are galleries that are hip; full of people in black clothes and little glasses. There are galleries that are edgy; with unknowable concepts and aloof artists. And then there's this gallery that is honest and inspiring and makes me cry. In a good way. Leave it to Markus N to bring me somewhere profound enough to get me choked up on my cherry margarita. Creative Growth has a serious mission: to make art accessible to everyone, by serving folks with mental and physical disabilities. They introduce them to art, provide them with loving instruction, and the work that comes of it is...well, you can imagine. Art from the heart, untainted and true. Pay them a visit on First Friday, meet the artists, learn about their cause, sip some grown-up beverages, and see the world through new eyes. If you dare.

I am a caregiver for my brother who has a mental disability. I've been looking for a good, safe program to plug him into since Townehouse changed their business model. I suggested Creative Growth because he is extremely artistic. He was very excited, so I called Creative Growth and spoke to Cristina. She was very responsive and set up a tour and interview in October 2016. After the interview, she told my brother that he was a good candidate, but would need to come on a trial basis for a period of time. She also told him that she would figure out which day of the week he should come. She gave him a number of forms to fill out and told him to get a current TB test. He was eager to get all of this done, so shortly after the interview I took him to Kaiser to get everything done. It is February 2017, and I have emailed/called Cristina repeatedly-- borderline groveling and begging. I am extremely disappointed that an organization serving the disabled would treat a disabled person in this manner. Over the years, I have been in touch with numerous organizations that serve the disabled and have never experienced this level of disregard and insensitivity toward a potential enrollee. Every encounter I've had in the past with Bay Area organizations that serve the disabled has been positive. They are generally ran by human beings who are down-to-earth and compassionate-- people who are aware of the sensitivity of disabled people, understand their isolation, and know what NOT to do. In the meantime, my brother is still asking me if I've heard back from Creative Growth. Creative Growth, you are such a great disappointment.

I've been going to Creative Growth Art Center for years to pick up amazing artwork by these talented artists. An art center for adults with disabilities, they provide materials, instruction and a safe place for the artists to explore their craft. I believe they have some of the most original artists in the Bay Area. They have an on site gallery that sells something within everyone's budget- paintings, sculptures, t-shirts, etc. Some of the artists have had sold-out exhibitions in New York and many show internationally. My favorite artist at the moment is Terri Bowden. She is legally blind and paints these great portraits of animals, people and celebrities as albinos. I also love her ceramic donuts and donut paintings, which average about $30.

A wonderful place to go to take classes and peruse the gallery. The developmentally delayed have classes on Saturday in a variety of styles. The staff are laid back and helpful. Go visit!:)

I love this gallery and it is always my favorite stop on Oakland's first Friday Art Murmur. The art is colorful and alive - always interesting and fun.

Incredible sometimes what comes from the artists communicating with a unique style that is not overly studied. Great to buy one or two pieces to share with friends. Serves a population that has a need for 50% going to the artist directly. Some nationally reknown artists with items in collections sold for $50-80,000---rare, but surprising to even the center directors themselves.

Others have already said it so very well: Creative Growth is one of the best, most interesting and most genuine galleries on the Art Murmur tour. The fact that it provides a creativity space for people with developmental challenges is really secondary to that. It would be a great gallery anyway. The uniqueness of its artists only adds to the wonderful flavor. Too often I'm only around in the neighborhood in the evenings when they're closed but I always peek in the window to see what's new and I look forward so much to touring the gallery on First Fridays. I've come home with some wonderful little treasure on more than one occasion!

Came here to visit the program on an outing with my disabled adult students from another program. I was extremely impressed with the space, the staff and the huge variety of mediums provided to the artists to create whatever their hearts desired. I saw the artists' short films featured at the Oakland airport too! Awesome!

One of my favorite places in the Bay Area, their annual Holiday Show is not to be missed. Go there to support their phenomenal programing, go there for gifts of artwork in every price range, go there to be inspired

I was invited for a tour to learn more about the organization and review art for a corporate art program. Arrived no knowing what to expect. My colleague and I were very impressed. Actually, blown away. We had no idea there are internationally recognized outsider artists who are part of the program. We're including several pieces in our selection review process for a new project. Hats off to the volunteers and sponsors. Tremendous opportunities for the community on many levels. Fantastic artwork.

I went there two weeks before. That was amazing art center. I also met some artists, they were very willing to tell you their ideas and artworks.