Annual Report 2021
Creative Clay’s vision is to make the arts accessible for all. 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.
In 2021 Creative Clay programming included our Community Arts Program, Transition, Artlink, Good Folk Gallery, Creative Care, Creative Thrift, Summer Studio and, Art Around the World Summer Camp.
JJ works on one of his highly involved “stained glass” style drawings.
COMMUNITY ARTS
COMMUNITY ARTS serves 44 artists with disabilities each week providing professional artist mentorship for member artists in the performing and visual arts in a vibrant studio environment. Funded by Medicaid Waiver, City of St. Petersburg, Florida Division of Cultural Affairs Culture Builds Florida, Duke Energy, Pinellas Community Foundation, AFIRE Pinellas, White Family Foundation.
A patron checks out work at the Good Folk Gallery during a Second Saturday Art Walk.
THE GOOD FOLK GALLERY
THE GOOD FOLK GALLERY is a place where the member artists of Creative Clay can show their work. Artists are empowered to become active, working artists who create, exhibit, and sell their artwork in the Good Folk Gallery and throughout Tampa Bay. Member Artists’ work is available for purchase in our virtual gallery on our website. Artists receive 50% commission on all works sold.
Aaron paints “The Tree of Life” as he enjoys a full day of artistic expression during Summer Studio.
SUMMER STUDIO
SUMMER STUDIO is a multi-disciplinary youth arts program that served 9 teens and young adults with disabilities per week during the summer focusing on individually-paced learning with a focus on employment readiness. Funded in part by St. Petersburg Arts Alliance. 60% of attendees receive a full scholarship.
Consul-General of Japan Kazuhiro Nakai with Creative Clay CEO Kim Dohrman.
Artlink Takamatsu-St. Petersburg
Artlink Takamatsu-St. Petersburg was a collaboration of Creative Clay and Heart Artlink Takamatsu in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Takamatsu-St. Petersburg Sister City Partnership. The two organizations serving artists with disabilities partnered in both visual arts and dance. Creative Clay was honored to have Consul-General Kazihiro Nakai of Japan attend the opening of the exhibit of the pelican paintings at the St. Petersburg Museum of History on the date of the 60th Anniversary of the Sister Cities. The Museum of History also hosted the Lion Dance.
Thank you to the following wonderful donors
Armand Pichardo•Gina & Michael White Family Foundation•St. Petersburg Arts Alliance•Robertson Family Charitable Fund•Gloria & Dick Matyszyk•Publix Charitable Foundation•Kobie Marketing•Mark Dillman•Ivo Iabar in Memory of Timm Andrews•Bruce Johansen in Memory of Timm Andrews•Jung In Kang & Thomas Harrington•Michael Nakelski in honor of Manny Rosario•Chris Green in honor of Manny Rosario•Cindy Broyles in honor of Member Artist Chris C.
Lead by Sheila Cowley, Helen Hansen French and the Sparks Collaborative Ensemble Creative Clay Artists perform Billow during Spring for the Arts at Nova 535.
Brittany participates in a painting dance with some of her Transition classmates.
TRANSITION
TRANSITION is a partnership with Pinellas County Schools (PCS) to provide vocational arts training including sales, marketing, customer relations, and the business of being an artist for 18–22 year olds with learning, developmental and/or emotional disabilities. In 2021 Creative Clay served 12 young adults with disabilities daily. Funded in part by The Pinellas County School Board. 2021 began the partnership’s 14th year.
Creative Clay member artists work with residents at Sabal Palms as part of their outreach work.
CREATIVE CARE
CREATIVE CARE is an arts in wellness program that serves children and adults of all abilities. Volunteers from Creative Clay partner with Palms of Largo, Menorah Manor and CASA to spread the healing power of art and to ensure meaningful connections are made with those in need. (during 2021 this outreach was suspended due to Covid-19 precautions)
Summer Camp Attendees gather for a photo after a play they performed for their parents at the end of the week.
ART AROUND THE WORLD
ART AROUND THE WORLD SUMMER CAMP served a total of 59 youth of all abilities during eight weeks of summer where children have the opportunity to study different cultures through a variety of media. Funded by The White Family Foundation, Creative Pinellas, Publix Charitable Foundation, and St. Petersburg Arts Alliance.
Ali Poses with the Lion Head she just finished painting. (Below) The Lion is ready to dance.
Thank you to the monthly givers in our Good Folk Society
Amanda Maloney•Amanda Reed•Ann Ryan•Anne Q. Pollack•Anthony Ateek•Audrey McConnell•Barbara Voglewede•Brenda Daniel•Bryce Hudson •Chanda Lawdermilk•Deb Heiss•Diohn Brancaleoni•Emanuel “Manny” Rosario•Eileen Stafford•Eleanor Finehout•Erin O'Neill•Hal Freedman & Willi Rudowsky•Hassan Moussa•Irene Parietti•James Hoffman •Jane Fontaine•Jane Holloway•Janet Carmody•Jacqulyn Schuett•Jocelyn Lister•Jose Lugaro•Karen Helsinger•Kathleen Barry•Ken Huelhorst & Alli Arnold•Kim Dohrman•Krystle Pinzker•Kyle Hickey•Lauren Hanley•Lenora Mitchell-Robinson•Lucinda Johnston•Mary Mooney• Melanie Jackson•Michael Sedita•Mina Sinai•Nancy Corlis•Natalie Fisher•Patti LaVoy•Page Garrison•Paul Williams•Richard Cortese•Robyn Rusignuolo•Sally Cash•Sarah Ateek•Scott Asbury•Sean Kennedy•Sean McConnell•Susan Jones Steele•Tammy & Dan Boldt• Therese Johnson•Tim & Kim Church•Tina Stafford•Yoko Nogami
The Good Folk Society has reached 57 members
Cory works with artist-musician Gordon recording an epic song to be performed live on stage and sold as an MP3.
ARTLINK
ARTLINK at Creative Clay offers four categories of employment services: Professional Artist Apprenticeships, Community Employment On-the-Job Training, Creative Clay Internships and Job-readiness Training. In 2021 most of our member artists participated in Artlink projects and performances with professional artists from St. Petersburg’s creative community and In collaboration with Artlink-Takamatsu Japan.
At Creative Thrift an artist can find almost anything they need for their projects, they’re often inspired by what they find.
CREATIVE THRIFT
CREATIVE THRIFT was established to create a social entrepreneurial revenue stream for Creative Clay and is an on the job training site for people with disabilities. It also gives an extra purpose to the many donations of supplies Creative Clay lovingly receives from the Tampa Bay community. It teaches job skills as well as brings in nearly $5,000 each year.
Events and Partnerships 2021
Community Room at Fairgrounds St Pete•Global Offensive Against Human Trafficking•Good Folk Follies•Folk Art Frenzy•St. Petersburg Opera Company• Mirella Cimatto Gallery•Y Como Esta Mi Gente at Ekeko Gallery•ArtsXchange St Pete•Lion Dance and Exhibit in Collaboration with St. Petersburg's Sister City, Takamatsu Japan at St. Petersburg Museum of History in honor of the Sister Cities 60th Anniversary•85 and Flying with Paula Kramer and Sparks Collaborative Ensemble.
Helen Hansen French leads Creative Clay Artists performing the Lion Dance as part of the Artlink Takamatsu-St. Petersburg collaboration.
