Creativity Explored: Helping People with Developmental Disabilities Make Art

Creativity Explored has been helping people with developmental disabilities create and sell their artwork for 30 years. The studio and gallery is located in the Mission District of San Francisco, and the current exhibit, “San Francisco’s Calacas: Day of the Dead,” celebrates the neighborhood’s Latino roots with art inspired by El Dia de los Muertos. We talk with the co-curator of the exhibit, one of the artists it features, and the program’s executive director about the power of creative expression for those who may struggle with other forms of communication.

Sample Works from 'San Francisco's Calacas: Day of the Dead'

The Couples by Gerald Wiggins © 2013 Creativity Explored Licensing, LLC, Pencil and watercolor on paper, 24" x36"

La Catrina by Kevin Roach © 2013 Creativity Explored Licensing, LLC, Acrylic on canvas, 48" x32"

Los Chalos Calacas by Quentin Rodriguez © 2013 Creativity Explored Licensing, LLC, Acrylic, air-dr clay, and wire, various sizes

Victor, the wife and baby boy by Ernesto Sosa © 2013 Creativity Explored Licensing, LLC, Mixed media fabric sculpture, various sizes

In the Sixties and Funeral, Ill, Hospital by John Patrick McKenzie © 2013 Creativity Explored Licensing, LLC, Marker on paper mache skulls, 7" x 6" x 9 (each)

Coronal Sculpture by Ka Wai Shiu © 2013 Creativity Explored Licensing, LLC, Graphite, watercolor and colored pencil on paper 19.5" x 26.5"

• More: Creativity Explored website