Making Creativity Accessible for All
Every one of us is creative.
At Art Equals, we believe that everyone, and we mean EVERYONE, is creative! Some may be feeling unsure about their creative side as they recall that one fourth grade teacher or critical adult that deemed your artwork not worthy for the refrigerator or classroom bulletin board; you are not alone. Along our paths of schooling and growing up, many of us have unfortunately experienced a person, pressure, or situation that judged, restricted, or challenged our access to creativity.
Imagine finally having the courage in college to reclaim your creative spirit only to be told by a special education support specialist that you couldn’t choose art as a major because you were visually impaired. Founder and Art Therapist, Charlotte Reed knows all too well the additional limitations that are often placed on people who face the challenges of a mental or physical disability.
“Even when I was told I was going to lose all my sight someday, I knew that I would continue to find ways to be creative,” says Charlotte. Figuring out unique ways to approach art-making is one of the things Charlotte enjoys most in her work today. Whether she is finding the tactile processes of paper and fibers, or focusing on unique textures in clay, Charlotte strives to make creating accessible and enjoyable. That personal desire to keep creating is what spurs her on to make Art Equals a place where everyone is welcome to create.
So, whether someone tried to squash your creativity or that inner critic is whispering lies, take a deep breath and remind yourself that “You can create!” And we want to support your creative spirit.
Every one of us is creative. Every one of us deserves to create, regardless of ability.
Art Equals’ monthly Creative Gathering at the Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CABVI) is one way that we put this belief in action. During these afternoon hangouts, members of the community are empowered to bring their own projects or come ready to try something new. The goal of this time is to provide a welcoming, creative space where everyone has access to the tools and support they need in order to get creating. Charlotte Reed, founder of Art Equals and licensed art therapist, facilitates these workshops.
We are ready to help you connect to your creativity in ways that are meaningful to you! Please share your ideas and questions with us as we continue to develop our accessible programming. Have a suggestion for the ways we talk about accessibility, design marketing tools, host programs, etc.? Send us an email at info@art-equals.org or reach out to us on social media. Let’s get creating together!
