At Creative Clay, the belief that art can transform lives isn’t just a philosophy, it’s a daily reality. Since 1995, the organization has worked to ensure that people with disabilities have access to expressive, educational, and vocational opportunities that help them live full and inclusive lives. Through a welcoming studio environment, professional instruction, and meaningful connections to the wider arts community, Creative Clay empowers its member artists to grow, create, and confidently share their talents with the world.
How PCF Support Strengthens Creative Clay
Support from PCF plays an essential role in sustaining this mission. A recent PCF multi-year operating grant helped subsidize salaries for the skilled program personnel who guide Creative Clay’s artists every day. These teaching artists, mentors, and staff members are at the heart of the organization—supporting creativity, fostering confidence, and helping each participant explore their own artistic journey.
The Community Arts Program
Creative Clay’s Community Arts Program, the cornerstone of its work, provides multidisciplinary studio arts experiences five days a week throughout the year. Member artists engage in ceramics, painting, drawing, design, music, and film, all led by professional artists who tailor instruction to each individual’s strengths, interests, and creative goals. Artists also have opportunities to earn income by selling their work in Creative Clay’s Good Folk Gallery and at partner venues across the community, an important step toward financial empowerment and vocational independence.
Vocational Development Through Artlink
The organization’s commitment to vocational development shines through its Artlink Employment Program, launched in 2007. Artlink pairs adults with disabilities with professional mentors, provides training within Creative Clay’s retail space, and connects artists to employment opportunities in the community. Participants have secured positions with local employers like Charlie Parker Pottery, the Dali Museum store, and Great Explorations.
Creative Clay’s innovative spirit extends far beyond Pinellas County: its 16-year sister-program relationship with Heart Artlink in Takamatsu, Japan, has fostered international collaborations, culminating in a celebratory exchange tied to the 60-year Sister City relationship between St. Petersburg and Takamatsu. These cultural bridges highlight the universal power of creativity to connect people across languages and continents.
Transition Program for Young Adults
Alongside these programs, Creative Clay’s Transition Program, in partnership with the Pinellas County School System, supports twelve young adults (ages 18–22) throughout the school year. Many program graduates eventually join the Community Arts Program, continuing their creative development in a supportive environment they already consider home.
Resilience Through COVID-19
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020, Creative Clay’s commitment to its artists never wavered. During its 15-month in-person closure, the organization expanded online classes, supported remote collaborations, and secured corporate commissions to keep artists engaged. In 2023, Creative Clay celebrated a full return to capacity, with a complete teaching staff and a robust roster of participating artists.
Impact in 2024
Creative Clay reached 2,880 unique individuals in 2024, while continuing to serve more than 60 artists five days a week. The organization’s biggest lesson this year was simple yet profound: the more opportunities artists receive, the more they grow. Whether mastering a new medium, collaborating with peers, or exhibiting their work to the public, Creative Clay’s member artists continue to demonstrate how creativity builds confidence, joy, and community. These moments of discovery, when an artist realizes their own potential, are the heart of Creative Clay’s mission and the driving force behind its desire to expand programming and bring in new instructors.
Artist Spotlight: Ashton’s Story
One of the most powerful examples of this growth comes from Ashton, who shared his journey in his own words:
“I was 18 when I started at Creative Clay 6 years ago. I started in the Transition program. Well, they helped me with the jobs out in the real world to figure out what skills I needed. I liked to do my own things and learned about freestyle drawing on cards. I came into the Creative Clay Community Arts Program and I enjoy being challenged. It helps me update my skills to continue to get better over time. I love trying new things, and I like Creative Clay because there is something always unexpected to do. It challenges me. I also enjoy the community part; the other member artists want me to collaborate with them and they inspire me to do well. I must reach to the limit of progress to astonish and branch out in the world.
I think when I see my improvements over the years, I want to keep going to see what I can do next in other mediums to push me further and to get better. I think the proudest one is when I get encouraged to get what I want to become in the future. My proudest moment is seeing how far I have come. How much I have improved in my skills over time. Specifically, I am proud of how much details I have included in my artwork. I am also proud of the shows I get accepted into. When I see it in person, I love to socialize with the people. I love people getting to know me and my art. I like when they ask questions. It is hard to count which one I am most proud of because each is a different opportunity and experience. For me, I like that my family is so interested in my shows. My family and others that know me, when they show they are invested in my work, it makes me proud.
I am an opportunist, and I am willing to do things even if it is a challenge for me. I want to keep trying and keep going. I want to expand my audience and reach more people with my artwork. I think I want to keep working on my graphic and visual arts. In the future, I want to experience more things to use to inspire art.”
The Heart of Creative Clay’s Mission
Ashton’s words capture the spirit of Creative Clay: a place where artists are encouraged to grow, share their voice, and envision a future filled with possibility. With continued support, like the operating grant from PCF, Creative Clay can keep expanding opportunities, deepening its impact, and ensuring that every artist has the space and encouragement to flourish.
Support Creative Clay
Support impactful services and organizations like Creative Clay athttps://pinellascf.org/give/donors/or email: Giving@PinellasCF.org to connect with our team today.
For more information on our Grant Program.
