Holiday Art Shop at Creativity Explored

The annual Holiday Art Shop at Creativity Explored returns for the season of artful gifting!

This year, we are opening the vaults of the Creativity Explored art collection and offering the public the opportunity to shop for thousands of exceptional and affordable artworks by artists with developmental disabilities.

This salon-style shopping experience includes rare and exhibited framed paintings, drawings and multimedia artwork, functional and decorative ceramic sculptures, unique fiber art and our collection of popular digital prints. As always, 50% of original art sales go directly to the artist, supporting their well-being and independence.

In the spirit of remembrance and reflection, the team at CE is dedicating a Wall of Honor in the gallery to rare artwork by artists who have recently passed away. Artwork by fan favorites such as Antonio Benjamin, Dan Michiels and Sara O'Sullivan will be on display and available for sale to the public. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to collect work by our inspiring canon of artists and learn about the legacy of Creativity Explored.

The Holiday Art Shop includes a collection of CE art products that make perfect stocking stuffers - a limited-edition Thomas Pringle Pin-Up Model 2020 Calendar, new Victorian House keychains by Kevin Roach, artful apparel, our popular enamel pins, wrapping paper, greetings cards, art kits and more!

Plus, shop a curated selection of giftable products by VIDA - choose from luxurious scarves, decorative candles and glass trays emblazoned with artwork by five CE artists. Limited quantities available. Get a headstart on your holiday shopping! Explore the entire VIDA x Creativity Explored Collection online here.

The Holiday Art Shop is open to the public from 6:00 pm on November 15 through December 31, 2019. See our special holiday hours below to plan your visit!

Extended Sunday Hours - For your weekend shopping pleasure, the CE gallery will be open on Sundays from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm for the run of the Holiday Art Shop.

Enter the Win a Window Giveaway
Between November 15 and December 15, visit the CE gallery to enter our Win a Window Giveaway valued at over $2500! Prizes include a cornucopia of art products by CB2 and other licensees, original artwork, and original CE art products. To enter, simply visit the CE gallery and fill out an entry form. No purchase necessary. Must visit the gallery in person during business hours to enter. Winner will be chosen randomly and announced on December 16, 2019. *For full rules see website.

Celebrate with the Community
Join us for our opening celebrations to party with the community of Creativity Explored artists, staff, donors and supporters! Get first pick of the Holiday Art Shop and enjoy a festive celebration with specialty cocktails, music and artful card-making with CE artists hosted our friends from Thank You Thursdays.

VIP Donor and Community Celebration
Thursday, November 14 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM
To become a donor and get access to this exclusive event, visit our website and click "Donate"

Live music by Su Buchignani of Golden Gate Music

Guests will enjoy holiday-themed cocktails and bites, giveaways at our Giving Tree, and get the chance to meet CE artists, their families and caregivers.

For questions about the VIP Donor and Community Celebration, please email [email protected]

Public Holiday Celebration
Friday, November 15 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Free and open to the public.

Music by Resident DJ Sergio Fedasz (Go BANG!, San Francisco)

FREE parking available during both celebrations at Mission Dolores Church (enter on Church Street) from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Make art with the whole family at Imaginate Saturdays!
Our weekly public artmaking program, Imaginate Saturdays, will be hosting special workshops this holiday season. Get creative and make art with CE artists!

Drop-in between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm and IMAGINATE with our artists!
All Imaginate Saturdays are family-friendly, free and open to the public.

All ages and abilities welcome. Materials are provided but guests are welcome to bring their own supplies.

DIY Print-making - Saturday, November 16
Try your hand at easy DIY print-making techniques. Participants will create their own design and print unique works of art. Get inspired by CE artwork and make your own greetings cards, gift tags, or anything you can imagine.

Embossed Metal Mobiles - Saturday, November 23
Experiment with this classic art-making technique. Carve, press, and pinch to create your own 3-D mobile or holiday ornament in this hands-on workshop.

Sew Artful Tote Bags - Saturday, December 7
Get crafty and design your own custom tote. Using felt, participants will collage, assemble, and sew together your very own tote that will make the perfect heartfelt gift.

Creatures in Clay - Saturday, December 14
Play with clay at this hand-on workshop. Mold your own figurines and sculptures to adorn your mantle.

Community Collage - Saturday, December 21
Using found materials, participants will collage an epic mural with the community of CE artists and supporters!

**Please note there will be no Imaginate Saturdays program on November 30 and December 28, 2019. The CE gallery and studio will be open to the public regular hours from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Holiday Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Thursday - 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

Saturday & Sunday - 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Holiday Closures
Closed for installation - Monday, November 11 through Thursday, November 14

(Open for the VIP Donor & Community Celebration at 6:00 pm on November 14)

Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, November 28

Black Friday - Friday, November 29

Christmas Eve - Tuesday, December 24

Christmas Day - Wednesday, December 25

New Year's Day - Tuesday, January 1, 2020

Creativity Explored Gallery & Studio
3245 16th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
https://www.creativityexplored.org

[email protected]

Instagram: @creativityexplored

About Creativity Explored
Creativity Explored invites regional, national and international art audiences to center the personhood and creative vision of people with developmental disabilities. Creativity Explored artists have seen their work exhibited in museums and galleries in 14 countries, and have earned nearly $2 million from their art. Each year, over 10,000 people visit our studios, which are often described as energizing, magical and joyful.

Florence and Elias Katz launched a worldwide movement and exploded defined notions of artistry, when they founded three Bay Area organizations to liberate the creativity of artists with developmental disabilities.

Their visionary work was sparked by the deinstitutionalization of people with disabilities, and growing advocacy for their dignity and self-determination. Over 36 years, Creativity Explored, the Katzes' San Francisco anchor, has facilitated the careers of hundreds of artists with developmental disabilities by offering space, support and representation.

Creativity Explored continues to open doors of inclusion for artists with disabilities. Today, CE artists serve on the organization's staff, create alongside artists of all abilities in local art studios, and teach the public. In 2018, Creativity Explored was recognized as a San Francisco Legacy Business. In 2019, Creativity Explored was included on the 5th Annual YBCA 100 list and voted "Best Nonprofit" for the SF Bay Guardian's "Best of the Bay Awards."