By KERRY KRISEMAN
Creative Clay’s signature fundraiser, Spring for the Arts, returns May 20 with an indoor-outdoor party featuring food, drink, art, an auction, performances and more – all to raise vital funds that create equality through art.
The multi-faceted Spring for the Arts will highlight Creative Clay’s member artists and its Community Arts Program.
Creative Clay Member Artists will join with performers from Sparks Collaborative Ensemble to perform Billow, which will augment the already plentiful offerings at Spring for the Arts.
“Billow is a celebration of being seen – a vibrant mix of movement, words and painted flowing fabric we will all create together,” said Sheila Cowley, playwright with Sparks Collaborative Ensemble who also wrote Billow.
“I don’t know exactly how it’s going to look or what we will discover as we build something together none of us could make alone. But I know it will be beautiful,” she said.
In addition to Cowley, Sparks Collaborative Ensemble members lending their talents for this collaboration include actor Jan Neuberger, dancer Helen Hansen French, choreographer Paula Kramer, designer Allen Loyd.
“Creative Clay’s member artists and teaching staff are such a vital part of the Sparks Collaborative Ensemble,” said Cowley. “As we create performances that inspire you to look, to listen and to feel – and see the world in brand new ways. Our collaborations are joyous, and Creative Clay’s ideas help shape the work and send us all in new directions.”
Spring for the Arts also will include performances by Mikey J., Cory B., and Ivy J. with accompaniment by Creative Clay Community Arts Manager Emily Turnage. There will also be portrait drawing by Creative Clay artists, the Iconic Landmarks of Tampa Bay exhibit, music by Boho Sideshow, gourmet food by Island Flavors and Tings, a wine pull with 50 bottles of high-quality wine (buy a ticket – win a bottle), opportunity drawings for an Apple computer, Spirit airline tickets, and a WUSF $1500 Longest Table Sponsorship for Spring 2023.
A limited silent auction including two Creative Clay hand-painted electric guitars will be part of the festivities. Craft-Tee screen printing will be on hand, with Creative Clay designs to choose from. Choose your t-shirt or canvas bag with an original Creative Clay member artist design or an exclusive t-shirt design by Chad Mize. Mize’s former company, Blue Lucy, designed the original Creative Clay logo.
Spring for the Arts continues a tradition of fundraising so that Creative Clay can continue serving people with disabilities through its programs that create equality through art. Find event details at https://www.creativeclay.org/spring-for-the-arts-2022.
About Creative Clay
Creative Clay’s vision is to make the arts accessible to all. Its mission is to help people with disabilities achieve full and inclusive lives by providing expressive, educational and vocational experiences in the arts.
Creative Clay’s core program is its Community Arts Program, which serves 50-60 adult artists with disabilities each week. Through the implementation of additional offerings, such as Artlink apprenticeship program, Creative Care arts in wellness outreach program, and its Pinellas County Schools’ partnership Transition program, many individuals are mentored, taught and empowered to become working artists who actively create, market and sell their work.
Learn more about Creative Clay, its vision of equality through art, and its programs at www.creativeclay.org. Like Creative Clay on Facebook, follow on
Instagram @creativeclaystpete; follow on Twitter @creativeclay and on LinkedIn