by Gordon Shepard

Gordon Shepard, a person with developmental disabilities, is the son of Otis Shepard a well-known commercial airbrush artist and Art Director of the Wrigley Company from 1932 to 1962. Gordon follows somewhat in his father's steps. He usually concentrates on circus and circus-related themes for the majority of his work since he once was the featured clown with a small circus known as Big John Strong & Sons many years ago.

Creativity Explored member artists come from diverse backgrounds and bring with them a wide variety and range of experience, ability, and sensibilities. Some of our artists just turned 20 years old, and some of our artists are in their eighties. Some have lived a life of previous isolation or institutionalization, while some have lived their entire lives with their families in a supportive and accepting environment. Many of our member artists speak different languages, or do not speak, and are unable to communicate with each other using spoken language. At Creativity Explored, visual art is language everyone can use to share culture, to share experience, and to share feelings.

At Creativity Explored, uncensored self-expression is both encouraged and celebrated. The result is art that is fresh, exciting, and innovative. We invite you to share our collective experience, to participate in our community, and to benefit from the significant contributions made by artists with disabilities to the cultural life of the broader community. Our common thread is the basic need to express self, and the tapestry we weave using art is a strong, durable community rich in color, form, and context. We invite you to become a part of our community.

Todd Herman
Animation Instructor

The following short animations, made through Creativity Explored, are being screened at the 2004 Sprout Film Festival:

Give Me Chinese Food
The Gordon Shepard Story
Tree, Flower, Butterfly
Up Cathy
Work In Progress