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ToggleHome Show
May 8–June 27, 2026
Group Exhibition
Image: Home Show Installation View with Artist Jorge Gomez. Creative Growth, Oakland.
Creative Growth
355 24th Street
Oakland, CA 94612
+1 (510) 836-2340
Creative Growth Website
Creative Growth Instagram
Creative Growth Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Thursday | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Friday | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Saturday | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |

Overview
Today’s LOVE LETTER TO ART focuses on Home Show, Creative Growth’s annual exhibition of artistic home décor, where decorative art meets everyday living. On view through June 27, 2026, the exhibition features custom lamps, looped rugs, wall-art-turned-lighting, fiber-wrapped coffee tables, wall weavings, ceramic dishware, and more, alongside solo installations by artists Pilar Vasquez Aguilera (Juan Aguilera) and Lauren Dare. Together, the furnishings and artworks blur the line between functional design and creative expression, transforming everyday objects into unique works of art that reflect the individuality and vision of the Creative Growth community.

Founded in 1974 by psychologist Dr. Elias Katz and artist Florence Ludins-Katz, who also went on to establish Creativity Explored and NIAD, Creative Growth is an Oakland-based nonprofit gallery and studio supporting artists with developmental disabilities. Over the past five decades, the organization has become an invaluable part of Oakland’s cultural landscape while helping expand opportunities and visibility for artists with disabilities.

The organization holds a special place in my heart, as I grew up with Lauren Dare and my cousin Anthony Eng was a Creative Growth artist for many years. Programs like this provide individuals with disabilities not only a source of income, but also a sense of pride, purpose, and structure in their daily lives—something that can have a meaningful impact on the people who support and care for them as well.

Preview of Home Show. Creative Growth, Oakland.
Shown here:
1) Home Show is Creative Growth’s annual exhibition of artistic home décor.
2) Where decorative art meets everyday living, and functional objects become works of art.
3) Creative Growth Artist Jorge Gomez
4) The exhibition features custom lamps, looped rugs, wall weavings, ceramic dishware, and more.
5) Tapestry by Zina Hall
6) Tapestry by Julian Ou
7) Dolls by Lulu Sotelo
8) Founded in 1974, Creative Growth has spent more than five decades expanding opportunities and visibility for artists with disabilities.
9) Creative Growth Artist Larry Randolph
10) Creative Growth Artist Lauren Dare with Jennifer Brown Gomes
11) Creative Growth Artist Jorge Gomez
12) Wall Lamp by George Wilson
13) Wall Lamps by Paulino Martin
14) Artist Jorge Gomez with Creative Growth Staff
15) Creative Growth Artist Larry Randolph
16) Programs like this provide not only income, but also pride, purpose, and structure in daily life.
17) That impact extends beyond the artists themselves to the families and communities who support them.
18) Sculptures by Paulo Pilarta (Mailbox) & Jean Paul Vallance (Carnivorous Plant)
19) Artist Lauren Dare’s Window Installation
20) Artist Pilar Vasquez Aguilera’s Window Installation

🗓 Home Show runs until June 27, 2026 at Creative Growth in Oakland’s Uptown neighborhood.
Creative Growth also has an ONLINE STORE with a terrific selection of works by its artists, including pieces from this show.
💌 Did you see the show or try any of our recommendations? What did you think? Let us know in the comments (in the Reviews section located on the second tab at the top of the page).
On May 30, 2026, Creative Growth held their Beyond Trend Fashion Show fundraiser, which I’ll post about soon. Here are some highlights from previous shows.
Creative Growth’s 50th Anniversary Gala & Beyond Trend Fashion Show, September 2024. SFMOMA, San Francisco
Shown here:
1) SFMOMA Greeters
2) Choreographer Sir Joq in Brian Nakahara and Ricardo Gaitan & C Quin in Nathaniel Jackson, Donna Kurtz, and Melissa Poe
3) William Scott
4) Jorge Gomez and David Wilson
5) Lulu Sotelo
6) Eli Cooper & Friend
7) Ron Veasey
8) Beyond Trend Finale
9) DJ FELAKUTCHii
10) CG Staff: Soph Alvarez in Latifa Noorzai, Adrianna Sorondo in Rosena Finister, & Amelia Whittlesey in Carol Fullen
11) Shopping the Creative Growth Pop-Up
12) CG’s Jo Sullivan with FRĒDA SALVADOR shoe collaboration
13) Jonathan Carver Moore in Tanisha Warren
14) Fashion Show Producer Liz Baca with Lulu Sotelo doll
Creative Growth’s 50th Birthday Bash and Beyond Trend Pop-Up Fashion Show, June 2024. Creative Growth, Oakland.
Shown here:
1) Jorge Gomez + David Wilson
2) Lynn Pisco
3) Lulu Sotelo
4) Susan Janow, James Freid, Soph Alvarez, William Scott, Tom di Maria
5) Soph Alvarez + Volunteers
6) Shopping the Fashion Show’s Creations
7) Nadia Philomena Ghani wearing Lulu Sotelo
8) Fashion Show Producer Liz Baca
9) Tom di Maria + Amelia Whittlesey
10-12) Creative Growth’s Gallery
13) NIAD’s Chrissie Bradley + Josefin Lundahl
14) Jolie Laide Wines’ Collab w/ Scott Schultz + Friend (I bought the Melon de Bourgogne Chalone w/ artwork by Aurie Ramirez. Was good!)
15) Entrance to Creative Growth
QUICK GUIDE: CREATIVE GROWTH
⭐ ON VIEW: Home Show runs from May 8–June 27, 2026
⭐ LOCATION: Creative Growth is located at 355 24th Street between Valdez and Webster streets in Oakland’s Uptown neighborhood.
⭐ HOURS: The Gallery is Open Wednesday–Saturday 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
⭐ RELATED ART:
- GALLERY: NIAD Art Center | ON VIEW: Convergence explores how ideas cross-pollinate within the studio community, bringing together works by 45 NIAD staff members and studio artists across painting, printmaking, sculpture, fiber, performance, and sound.| April 11–June 26, 2026 | 19-min drive
- GALLERY: Creativity Explored | UPCOMING: Downs the Hills and Around the Bends is a group show exploring how artists use familiar cultural iconography—including imagery inspired by the children’s television series Thomas & Friends, from which the exhibition takes its title—to reflect on their daily lives, routines, and relationships. | June 25–Aug. 22, 2026 | *Opening reception is June 25, 2026 from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. | 38-min drive
⭐ NEARBY ART:
- GALLERY: Johansson Projects | ON VIEW: In Your Own Time: Leyla Pekmen + Julien Laporte | June 4–Aug. 1, 2026 | 7-min walk • 2-min drive *Walkable from CG
- GALLERY: Rock Paper Scissors Collective (Store Hours: Wed. 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. & Thurs. 4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.) | UPCOMING: TBA | 4 min drive • 14 min walk
- GALLERY: Pt.2 | ON VIEW: Solo Exhibitions: Will Yackulic & Joe Roberts | June 6–July 18, 2026 | UPCOMING: Solo Exhibitions: Brett Flanigan, Michaela Sampas, Isaac Vazquez Avila | Opens July 25, 2026 | *Opening reception is July 25, 2026 from 6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. | 4-min drive • 15-min walk
- GALLERY: Transmission Gallery | ON VIEW: M. Mark Bauer: THE, THE | June 11–July 25, 2026 | EVENTS: Artist Talk on July 18 at 1:00 p.m. UPCOMING: Cate White: World Raw | June 18–Aug. 1, 2026 | EVENT: Artist Talk on July 11 at 1:00 p.m. | *Opening reception for both shows is June 27, 2026 from 1:00–4:00 p.m. | 5-min drive • 17-min walk
- GALLERY: Pacific Saw Works | UPCOMING: TBA | 7-min drive • 27- min walk
- GALLERY: CULT Bureau | ON VIEW: FLESH INTO BLOOM: Daniela Terroba, Theresa Daddezio, Ruxue Zhang, Abby St. Claire | May 21–July 11, 2026 | 9-min drive • 40-min walk
- MUSEUM: Oakland Museum of California | ON VIEW: Black Power; Fairyland @ 75; You Are Here: California Stories on the Map; Collecting a Moment (Ongoing). *NEW: Mildred Howard: Poetics of Memory | June 12–October 11, 2026 | EVENTS: FREE Friday Nights at OMCA through Oct. 2026 features FREE live music, dj sets, demos, and food trucks by Off the Grid. *Gallery access and talks are included with paid admission. | 6-min drive • 27-min walk
- PUBLIC ART: Oakland Palestine Solidarity Mural located at 400 26th Street (between Telegraph and Broadway) | 6-min walk • 2-min drive *Walkable from CG
⭐ NEARBY DINING:
- Limón | Peruvian cuisine | 1-min walk • 1-min drive
- Drake’s Dealership | Beer garden w/pizzas, sandwiches. | 5-min walk • 2-min drive
- Sweet Bar Bakery | 2-min walk • 2-min drive
A LOVE LETTER TO ART’S CHEAP & CHEERFUL PICKS
- Two Pitchers Brewing | Beer garden serving Lovely’s burgers, sandwiches, fish & chips! | 2-min walk • 1-min drive
- Beeryland | Beer garden + full bar w/slushies, burgers. Dog and child friendly. | 7-min walk • 2-min drive
💌 More nearby suggestions are always welcome. Feel free to add in the comments!
A LOVE LETTER TO ART RECOMMENDS
RELATED ART


NEARBY ART



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