Where creativity begets purpose

Creative Clay strives to help adults with physical and mental handicaps enhance their lives through art.

[Times photos: Boyzell Hosey] Marshall Roberts, 25, paints with watercolors at Creative Clay in Safety Harbor earlier this month. Roberts and others in the non-profit program for mentally and physically challenged adults were creating art based on the their recollections of a field trip to Sunken Gardens the previous day.

By TERRI D. REEVES

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 21, 2001

SAFETY HARBOR -- The cultural arts center called Creative Clay has all a serious artist could want: a large, open studio to paint and sculpt, lots of daylight streaming through the windows and an eye-catching gallery with a fireplace and hardwood floors.

And for physically and mentally handicapped adults, it offers something else: a chance to be part of the arts community.

Kyle Turner, 22, of Clearwater puts the finishing touches on his watercolor painting during a lesson.

Student artist Tony Lease is an affable guy who likes rock 'n' roll, is amazing at Beatles' trivia and can play the drums. He also has Williams Syndrome, a congenital disorder that limits his mental capacity and hinders his ability to get a job.

"This is the greatest place anybody could ever come to," the 26-year-old Clearwater resident said. "I couldn't ask for a better place. It has good stuff and is great for meeting people."

In January, Creative Clay, a program for developmentally and physically challenged adults, moved to the community known for its ponytailed artists, hip restaurants and colorful shops. The 2,500-square-foot center at 176 Fifth Ave. N is in a canary-yellow building that has served as a public library, a hardwood floor store, a coffeehouse and martial arts center.

"Here our artists can walk on sidewalks, sketch in the park and visit the waterfront," said Danielle Despathy-Rottenberg, who began Creative Clay in 1995 with her associate Grace-Anne Alfiero. "They are taking yoga from a studio just down the street. And we are planning more community integration programs with other businesses and restaurants in the future."

Creative Clay was located off U.S. 19 N at 2735 Whitney Road in Clearwater, on the Abilities campus. The facility helps train disabled adults to find jobs, but its location was rather remote and didn't allow for much community interaction. Another Creative Clay studio is in downtown St. Petersburg.

The concept behind the centers is to use artistic expression to bring meaning to the lives of those who once spent their days doing tedious work or sitting at home. Despathy-Rottenberg and Alfiero have backgrounds in traditional social-service settings and, frustrated by the lack of creativity in dealing with special populations, were motivated to create an alternative.

Classes are given at the center by local artists who teach various disciplines, including creative writing, voice, self-development and drums. Most barter studio time for teaching time.

On a recent day, Kyle Turner, 32, of Clearwater was in the studio with a dozen other students. He carefully combined the colors yellow, green and blue to make a palm tree, something he remembered from a recent trip to Sunken Gardens.

"I do a lot of good artwork," Turner said.

"Yes, you have a very intricate design pattern and a very recognizable style," said St. Petersburg artist Cathleen Schott, who was giving the lessons.

She walked by the desk of Marc Miller, 31, of Clearwater, who was drawing rainbows and taxis.

"You are the queen of diamonds," he told her. "You are a princess."

Suddenly, everyone started singing Happy Birthday to Joan and Jean Medeiros, 43-year-old twins from Tarpon Springs. They are primarily non-verbal, but they will readily give a visitor a hug.

The art of the students can be described as playful, imaginative and friendly -- much like the students who created it. Some pieces are created solely by the students; others are collaborations between students and professional artists.

Fanciful shadow boxes, painted stemware, photography collages, whimsical windsocks, sun catchers, wire sculptures and framed watercolors decorate the gallery. Sometimes the students have the satisfaction of having their artwork purchased.

Medicaid pays the students' fees. The non-profit organization also is supported by grants and donations.

To qualify for the program, adults must have an IQ of 69 or below. Some have secondary disabilities such as cerebral palsy or spinal bifida. The center also is open to non-disabled public who would like to take classes with the special students.

Want to know more?

For information on the Creative Clay program or to make an appointment to see the work of the student artists, call (727) 723-8638 in north Pinellas County or (727) 825-0515 in south Pinellas.

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