Equality Through Art: 2023 Year in Review

2023 Year in Review

Creative Clay | St. Petersburg, Florida

Darrion playing guitar

Suna drawing intently

Gina and her poetry book

Grace working on art piece

Aby and Cutter

Julie with Sam and his ceramic bird

CREATIVE CLAY’S MISSION IS TO HELP PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ACHIEVE FULL AND INCLUSIVE LIVES BY PROVIDING EXPRESSIVE, EDUCATIONAL, AND VOCATIONAL EXPERIENCES IN THE ARTS.

So, how does Creative Clay go about doing that?

Creative Clay helps guide member artists to their full potential through art studio mentorships, real-world job experiences, community partnerships, and teaching the skill of submitting artwork to gallery shows.

And none of this would be possible without the time, effort, and skills of valued volunteers and board members, as well as the support of their grantors, sponsors, and donors.

In this Year in Review you will find the story of a member artist’s journey through Creative Clay’s studios to the walls of FUN SET: A Sunshine City Art Show. You will get a glimpse into the thoughts and inspirations of one of Creative Clay’s most accomplished artists. You will learn the value of a great community partner, and see how the Good Folk Gallery prepares member artists for a future in art. Plus you will recognize that an organization like Creative Clay is made more powerful through the people and organizations that support their mission.

Marquise was very excited to win second place for his sculpture Winged Man in the Florida CraftArt show. The piece featured here is titled Morning Sunrise

MEMBER ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Ashton began participating in the Creative Clay Transition program in 2018. This unique partnership with the Pinellas County School system provides vocational arts training to 18 to 22-year-olds with disabilities. During his tenure there Ashton expressed a love of art by embracing all class projects with enthusiasm, as well as frequently drawing on his own in his sketchbook. Ashton was shy and reserved, and his drawings were often small, black and white pencil drawings.

An artist driven by more than a desire to get paid or impress, Ashton seems to have a compulsion to make art. And at Creative Clay, he can do just that. Whatever he imagines, he can create with access to art supplies and specialized support from numerous professional artists who work with him each day.

Because of this uncommon access to all he needs to express his unique vision, Ashton has grown from making small, dark, black and white pencil sketches to making colorful full-size realistic paintings of cityscapes & portraiture with a signature style.

I remember Ashton’s work when he first started in the Transition program–he worked mostly in pencil and small,” recalls Kim Dohrman, CEO. “It’s remarkable how he has embraced so many different mediums and excels at them all. The first time he learned how to animate his drawings, he created an animation complete with his own musical composition crafted using Garageband. He’s endlessly creative and inspiring.”

Ashton has worked hard to contribute skillful work to many exhibits. In 2023 he contributed to shows at the Mirella Cimato gallery for St. Pete Opera’s performance of Fidelio where he offered a remarkable portrait of the title character. He also showed in the Big Art Show hosted by ASPEC at Eckerd College, and has ventured into making animated videos. Most notably he earned his own placement in a well-received group exhibition called Fun Set: A Sunshine City Art Show presented by Chad Mize and Green Bench Brewing Co. where he was showcased alongside the most prominent artists in our city. In five years, Ashton has grown into a less shy, respected St. Pete artist.

Ashton T., Fidelio Character Acrylic, 16x20

Ashton working in Main Studio

Ashton’s personal statement

VOICES OF CREATIVE CLAY

by Ali V.

I liked the first time that I made artwork. My first artwork was like different characters and all different colors. The characters were geometric. I love painting, drawing especially when I have time off. It makes me happy to get to create new drawings or things.

My dad is an artist. He’s originally from El Salvador. My dad likes to draw, paint, paper mache and do charcoal. I get my inspiration from him. His style is interesting and reminds me of Mayan and Aztec artwork. I remember being next to my dad doing artwork when I was little, and I felt good because thanks to my dad I love to be an artist.

I love coming to Creative Clay because it’s fun. I like drawing and painting. I started coming here when I was a teenager and still in middle school. I got to meet different people. It’s a place for people to come make artwork who have disabilities.

My favorite part of coming to Creative Clay is painting. I like to paint on wood or canvas. Also my commissions like tennis shoes, bags and water bottles. Now I’m working on a skateboard for one of my teachers and I hope she loves it.

Ali and her work at the Mahaffey

In 2016, I did a mural with the SHINE Mural Festival. I painted it and it turned out awesome. It was Mayan and Aztec characters. I was really happy just to have my first mural in St. Pete. I had help from Todd and Rasta and Vivian making the mural. It took a long time to paint it but it was worth it just to have my own wall and I loved it how it turned out. But now they took it down because they sold the building. I was sad and depressed because they painted the building black, and my mural was gone, and I used to take ballet classes there.

It makes me feel happy and good now that I’m doing artwork. I’m a wonderful artist and I love doing artwork. Creative Clay supports selling my artwork. I hope I get to sell my big painting in the gallery right now called The Mayan Princess. I got the idea from my dad and I really hope it sells.

In the future, I would be interested in learning paper mache. I want to learn to make a feathered serpent. I was inspired from my dad because he made one out of paper mache before and we had a gallery nearby where we used to live.

I have been an artist since I was a teenager and I love doing art. To be a better artist, you should give other people inspiration to see what artwork they do and what style and technique they like. Giving inspiration means to show my drawings so that other people can get inspired. Like I’m inspired by Mayan art design and my dad.

Ali V., Ballet mural

Ali V., The Mayan Princess

Ali and Mauricio

Ali working on SHINE mural with Todd Frain on the former Academy of Ballet building in St. Petersburg

COMMUNITY PARTNER

Creative Clay’s connection to the Sparks Collaborative Ensemble began when longtime supporter and former member of Creative Clay’s Creative Care Arts in Healthcare team, and Sparks participant Paula Kramer introduced Sheila Cowley to Creative Clay.

Soon after being introduced and getting to know a little more about Creative Clay’s artists and mission, playwright and leader of Sparks, Sheila wrote Airlift with the big idea of having as many artists as possible participate in all attributes of the play’s creation and performance. The artists worked with set designers, actors, dancers, and musicians to complete the collaboration which debuted in front of the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg to kick off Creative Clay’s big Artlink celebration. The play was a hit and the two entities decided they would continue to work together with the goal of giving Creative Clay member artists more opportunities for performing ... and so began the amazing partnership between the Sparks Collaborative Ensemble and Creative Clay.

Illustration projects written and proposed throughout the pandemic, starting with Wordy (a project where member artists and staff came up with their favorite word to illustrate resulting in a movie directed by Sheila and Sparks made to be compatible with the new virtual communication world), kept all the artists of Creative Clay engaged when everyone was working from home and participating in classes virtually. Without Sparks’ creative experiences, the feeling of community and artistic interaction may have been more difficult to achieve.

Since the performance of Airlift in September of 2019, Creative Clay has collaborated with Sparks on nearly a dozen projects of all sorts. With several performances, illustrated books, and colorful teleplays, plus new projects on the horizon the partnership is blossoming with every passing day.

The next project is the most ambitious of all and everyone is looking forward to it. Sheila believes “scientists and artists share a passion for exploration and discovery” and her new NEA funded project will be an inclusive collaboration between Creative Clay and the marine scientists at USF St. Petersburg. She is excited to explore the creative possibilities of two of her favorite groups collaborating on a project that could open doors to innovation.

Sheila says she keeps coming up with projects “because Creative Clay’s member artists and I share a love of color and adventure and imagination. I write words to spark their boundless creativity – and I never know what’s going to happen, but I know it’s going to be amazing. And I’m grateful that Creative Clay is always up for yet another

“Creative Clay is such a potent part of the Sparks Collaborative Ensemble.” Claims Cowley. “I’m grateful that the work we create together with so many amazing professional visual and performing artists in our community is inclusive, beautifully diverse and life-affirming. It’s so important to me that the ideas and energy and skills of Creative Clay’s artists are valued and celebrated and given equal credit.”

ADDITIONAL PROJECTS INCLUDE:

Splish Splash (2020)

Sparks in the Rain (2021) created with choreographer & dancer

Paula Kramer

Boing! (2021) with member artists Lindsay Johnson, Gina Kenney, Marquise Russ, and actor Jan Neuberge

Tune for the Triangles (2021) a dance by Paula Kramer performed with member artists Hanna V. and Chris Coyle

Billow (2022) for Spring for the Arts

The Rainbow Book (2023)

When the Tuba Shows Up, It’s a Party paintings, book, illustrated audiobook, live at Friday Art Market (2022) and Spring for the Arts (2023)

Rampant! illustrations projected at The Studio@620 (2023)

Isaac’s Firetruck (2023) member artists leading all-ages drawing sessions and contributing illustrations

Boing! illustrated audiobook (2023)

Twice as Spectacular (2023)

One of the great things about Creative Clay is the fact that they have an in-house gallery that is open to the public and every second Saturday they participate in St. Petersburg’s ArtWalk which allows member artists the opportunity to show their work to a broader audience.

The Good Folk Gallery is a gallery among many in St. Petersburg, but they claim to have Tampa Bay’s largest collection of original folk art for sale. The gallery hosts a new show every couple of months and features the best work of its studio artists. On special occasion you will find art from some the best artists in town as well as work from other similar organizations.

The goal of the gallery is to provide inclusive opportunities and to teach member artists the processes of being a professional artist. The artists are taught how submit work, to understand how commissions work, and how to price their art through The Good Folk Gallery. These professional skills allow the artists to submit and contribute work to other galleries in the area and builds a pathway for submitting work to shows abroad.

The Good Folk Gallery is not only a folk-art collector’s paradise; it is the best place for an emerging member artist to discover the process of becoming a professional artist.

WITH BOARD CHAIR SEAN KENNEDY

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF SERVICE

Q: What initially grabbed your attention about Creative Clay?

A: I toured Creative Clay with an organization I worked for, got to meet the artists and had my portrait done. I fell in love with the positive energy radiating through the building.

Q: What made you want to join the board and ultimately stay so involved with Creative Clay all these years?

A: I went to a number of events after first learning about Creative Clay, and a friend of mine who was on the board at the time invited me to join. I've stayed involved over time because I see how incredibly hard the staff works to make Creative Clay such a great environment and I feel good doing my small part to help. Plus serving on the board brings even more excuses to come into the building and see all the new art the member artists are creating!

Q: How have you seen Creative Clay grow over the years?

A: The biggest change I've seen in the time I've been involved with the organization is how much stronger the internal management of Creative Clay has become. There has been a lot of growth that people can easily see walking in the door, but I'm really blown away by what you can't obviously see. Kim and her team have really professionalized the operations through the years and brought Creative Clay to a really stellar place from a finance and management perspective, while at the same time have grown opportunities for member artists and exposed a lot of new people throughout the community to our art.

Q: What are some of the most amazing artist focused projects you’ve seen happen during your tenure at Creative Clay?

A: My personal favorite projects are the artlinks between our member artists and other groups. My favorite piece of Creative Clay art I've ever owned was a collaboration with Gibbs High School, and seeing the totally unique works that come from our Takematsu partnership always makes me excited.

Q: I f you could, please sum up what Creative Clay means to you and hopefully the community as well?

A: Creative Clay is the epitome a lot of what I think people believe St. Pete is all about. It's about getting everyone involved in the arts regardless of their background. In this city we strive to be friendly and open with each other, care for our neighbors, and authentically express ourselves. I can't think of a better encapsulation of that than Creative Clay.

THANK YOU

LEGACY DONORS

Thanks to a donation from Cynthia Bania-Carter & Chris Carter a scholarship in the honor of Linda Montemayor was made. This scholarship was able to allow one artist access to the arts two days a week for a year at Creative Clay. Linda was a member artist at Creative Clay since 2011 and was always ready with a smile and bright art to match a spunky personality. Linda enjoyed all mediums of art and participated in many art shows. When health issues prevented Linda from attending Creative Clay’s Community Arts Program, the art came to her at her new home at Sabal Palms Health and Rehabilitation Center in Largo. This partnership allowed Creative Clay’s Member Artists, who were also beloved friends of Linda, to regularly visit the center to create art and socialize with Linda and other residents thus beginning a partnership that still exists. Linda passed in June and her legacy of bringing people together through art still lives on in this legacy Scholarship.

For nearly a decade, Ralph McCutcheon supported Creative Clay. He created hundreds of box-framed wooden painting panels for Creative Clay artists to make work on. The folding A-frame chalk-board signs that he made to welcome visitors are an everyday reminder of his presence and good will. Ralph was committed to Creative Clay’s vision and wanted to assure it was achievable. For this reason, Ralph made a bequest to Creative Clay that will propel them into the future and will always be remembered through the Ralph McCutcheon Legacy Scholarship.

If you would like to leave a legacy gift to Creative Clay through our Visionary Society, scan the QR code to the right.

THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING WONDERFUL DONORS

Chris Bennett & Janet Carmody

Christopher Still

Connor Chelmecki

Donna “Janie” Waters

Geralyn Massa

Gina & Michael White

Jung In Kang & Thomas R. Harrington

Mamie & Scott Asbury

Marie & Rusty Hammer

Mary & John Sweeny

Pledgeling Foundation

Sally Cash

Thomas E. Stewart

THANKS TO THE MONTHLY GIVERS IN OUR GOOD FOLK SOCIETY

Alise Stricklett

Amanda Maloney

Amanda Reed

Amy May

Ann Ryan

Anne Q. Pollack

Anthony Ateek

Audrey McConnell

Barbara Voglewede

Brenda Daniel

Bryce Hudson

Chanda Lawdermilk

Charles Potter

Cindy Mason

Constance Zimmer

Danielle Chard

Deb Heiss

Diohn Brancaleoni

Dr. Ellie Ward

Eileen Stafford

Ellie Finehout

Erin O’Neill

Florence Search

Hassan Moussa

Irene Parietti

Jacqulyn Schuett

James Hoffman

Jane Holloway

Janet Carmody

Janie Fontaine

Jill Marie

Jillian McBride

Jocelyn Lister

Joellen Wooten

Jose Lugaro

Julie Kessel

Karen Helsinger

Kim & Tim Church

Kim Brownell

Join today, scan the QR code to the right.

Kim Dohrman

Kyle Hickey

Lauren Hanley

Leila Martini

Lenora Robinson-Mitchell

Leslie Hanley

Manny Rosario-Santiago

Margo Sim

Marie & Rusty Hammer

Mary Mooney

Melanie Jackson

Michael Sedita

Nancy Corlis

Natalie Fisher

Natalie Judge

Page Garrison

Patti LaVoy

Paul Williams

Richard Cortes e

Robyn Rusignuolo

Sally Cash

Sarah Ateek

Scott & Mamie Asbury

Sean Kennedy

Shelby Meaders

Susan Jones Steele

Tammy Boldt

Therese Johnson

Tina Stafford

Tom Plummer

Willi Rudowski & Hal Freedman

Yoko Nogami

Linda Montemayor

Ralph McCutcheon

THANK YOU

THANKS TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS

2023 PARTNERSHIPS

Creative Clay is always looking for inclusive, creative partnerships.

The Pinellas Community Foundation has been “Giving Humanity a Hand Since 1969” and has supported Creative Clay for 16 years, providing funds for projects, programs, operations, equipment, and improvements. Due to the generosity of PCF, Creative Clay is now able to offer Photography classes and make great videos and artist created films.

Duke Energy has supported Creative Clay’s work for over 8 years and this year was no different. The Duke Energy Foundation was able to support Creative Clay in achieving its marketing goal of reaching more people, allowing them to work with RHStv to create and compile slick professional videos that feature all the main attributes of the work Creative Clay does.

IMPACT

Call for artists 2024!

Seeking professional teaching artists for one-on-one 3-month apprenticeships for artists with disabilities.

Scan the QR code to find out more.

Creative Clay is proud to offer an art supply repurpose store to the community. The store was created after a feasibility study and business plan were completed by the Tampa Connection Class of 2017. The goal of the store is to create a social entrepreneurial revenue stream, to become an on the job training site for people with disabilities, and to give an extra purpose to the many donations of supplies Creative Clay lovingly receives from the Tampa Bay community—art books, frames, paper, paint, chalk, canvas, fabric, and so much more!

The forever-changing art supply store is pay-what-you-can and all proceeds benefit Creative Clay.