Steve from Giving Tree Music came by yesterday and led the group in an enchanting drum circle.
From the Giving Tree Music site: “Steve has been making drums since 1993, receiving design input from some of the best known drummers in this country. In addition, he has provided Drum Circle Facilitation at large and small festivals around the country for 15 years, serving patrons of Corporate, Children, Senior and Community environments.”

This was a new experience for many of our member artists, but Steve’s motto “drumming is easy!” inspired everyone to loosen up and have fun! (more…)

A tenative schedule of musical events has been announced!  You can check out the line-up HERE!

Following the State of the State session, the second session of the morning was the refreshing Washington Initiative, a model supported employment program which implemented the Working Age Adult Training Policy for all persons ages 21 to 62. Washington State was the first state to implement such a work initiative and was among 3 other states that began practicing supported employment in 1980, six years prior to the inaugural federal legislation regarding the subject.

The basic premise of the Washington Initiative is to provide “supports to pursue and maintain gainful employment in integrated settings” (more…)

Today’s opening session “State of the State: Where We are and Where We are Going!” was presented by Bill Palmer (Vocational Rehabilitation - VR), Jane Johnson (President of APD), and Joyce Lubbers (Program Director of the Florida Department of Education). Palmer spoke first, giving an update of VR in Florida and where they are headed. He said that a major goal for their upcoming strategic plan would be to increase the percentage of people with disabilities successfully employed. Currently, only 6.65% of this population and only 23.1% of persons with mental health disabilities are employed.

The next speaker was Jane Johnson, Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) in Florida. (more…)

The 2007 Florida Association for Persons in Supported Employment (APSE) Conference kicks off today, and Assistant Director Jenny Lee and I are attending as representatives of Creative Clay.

So why are we at this conference? Creative Clay has been looking to expand into the field of supported employment for its members. This would mean that member artists at Creative Clay would have the opportunity to receive vocational training and support in finding and maintaining employment in the community. This conference will serve as a “jumping off point” for Creative Clay staff to begin working on an implementation strategy for this revolutionary service. In the coming months, Creative Clay anticipates having 12 or more members involved in supported employment services, thanks to a generous employment grant from the Able Trust, and we have many eager candidates, ready to embark on this new endeavor with us!

The opening keynote speaker was Mr. Dale Dileo. (more…)

Creative Clay hosted a bowling fundraiser on Sunday, July 15, at Sunrise Lanes. What a great day of fun, fellowship and terrific bowling! Member artists, staff and volunteers bowled three competitive games–showing expert bowling skills with frequent strikes and spares. “I knew the competition would be exciting when many member artists arrived with their personal bowling balls and other gear. They put on a great show! Like they do in the studio when painting, these member artists put 150% in everything they do.” said Betsy Pearson, Development Coordinator. Robert B. and Chris F. earned prizes for the highest combined game scores over 300. Due to the efforts of everyone involved, Creative Clay collected $1,660.00 in donations that will directly fund art education programs for persons with disabilities.

Art Gallery Begins Fourth Sector Work: Croatian Naive Art Gallery Initiates Benefit Fundraisers

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 26 /PRNewswire/ — We have all begun to hear about this new emerging “fourth sector” in the business world, where companies not only support favorite causes, but actually incorporate as part of their mission statement a primary reason for existence as being a tool to raise funds for the benefit of others. Well, that is exactly what the recently opened Croatian Naive Art Gallery & Museum Collection in St. Petersburg, Florida is doing.
Their mission has always been to promote the art the founders love, but they have also discovered, according to Jim and Donna Nannen, the founders, “a way to fulfill our mission while at the same time raising money for, and the public awareness of, local organizations that need to find new methods of funding, in an age where money is tight, grants less available and communities throughout the US look for ways to tighten their belts.”

(more…)