Creative Growth

On Saturday, I had the good fortune to view a wonderful gallery of art at one of my favorite clothing stores, Lost and Found. In an adjacent storefront, the owner has mounted a show with art provided by Oakland's Creative Growth art centre, which for 32 years has provided space and support for marginalized artists. This pioneering non-profit centre was founded by a psychologist and an artist as a place for de-institutionalized mentally and developmentally disabled people to come and cultivate artistic skills. It's been described as art school, except without the self-doubt, posing, competition and careerism. I found the work remarkable and the opportunity to give disenfranchised people a chance to support and express themselves - brilliant. http://www.creativegrowth.org/