Creative Clay

Research suggests that exposure and inclusion of individuals with disabilities within the general population improves outcomes in a variety of domains, including access to health care, employment, decreased isolation, improved community safety and decreased abuse. At Creative Clay, artists with disabilities receive training and participate in a vocation as professional artists alongside other working artists. We provide the individuals we serve with a sense of belonging and connection to St. Petersburg's arts community. Research further indicates that exposure is not enough to reduce prejudice toward individuals with disabilities; the quality of interaction significantly affects the attitudes of the public. When a Creative Clay member artist goes into the community, they do so as representatives of our organization and professionals with a unique perspective to share. Our member artists market their work at gallery openings, partner exhibits, on radio and television shows, fundraisers, art festivals and other collaborative community events, and they receive a 50% commission for every piece of artwork they sell. Creative Clay has provided local artists with disabilities, as well as people in healthcare settings, the opportunity for expressive, educational, and vocational arts experiences since 1995. The organization's wide range of innovative programs and special events celebrate community and the richness of our local and regional arts. Creative Clay's daily studio and outreach programs serve over 100 unique individuals per year between the ages of 6 and 80. We estimate that approximately 2500 individuals within the community are impacted by our organization's gallery openings, festivals, workshops, and collaborative exhibits and events. 80% of the individuals who attend our daily programs have physical, cognitive and/or mental health disabilities, but all have expressed a desire to learn how to create art, hone existing art skills, work toward creating art that is gallery ready, market their art, speak with gallery visitors about their art, advocate for themselves as an individual in society who has a disability, and dispel myths that exist surrounding those with disabilities. Our seven programs include Community Arts, Transition, Creative Care, Artlink Apprenticeship, Summer Youth Arts Camp, Summer Studio and Open Studio.