You Should Explore Your Own

Something in us rebels; we love to see mistreated people get up and tell power where to shove it. This is why we like to see Johnny Cash angry, this is the cause of our undying admiration for the Black Panthers, and this is the reason it felt so joyous to learn about an exhibit of art made by adults with developmental disabilities titled "Don't Call Me Retard." It was a production of San Francisco's famous Creativity Explored, which does nothing but teach art to people often overlooked and called names. At "Quarter Century," the gallery and studio celebrates its vast successes by pulling together work from its own amazing permanent collection, including pieces by artists who have since become superstars of the art world, including our own fave, Fears of Your Life author and text-based art guru, Michael Bernard Loggins. Other widely collected artists appearing here include John Patrick McKenzie, Douglas Sheran, and Vincent Jackson. But mostly, the art center and its artists are about courage, and being fabulous, and self-expression, not about money or fame. A gala event on May 15 at Foreign Cinema features clips from Ben Wu's Academy Award-winning film about the place, Cross Your Eyes, Keep Them Wide, in addition to a silent auction, live music, and treats.
May 1-June 18, 2008