Art Explorers, Inc.

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Art Explorers, Inc. An art studio and gallery serving adult artists with disabilities and brain injuries located on the Mendocino coast in Fort Bragg, CA.

We provide a studio and gallery space where artists with disabilities can produce, exhibit, and sell their work. We also exhibit work in various local venues.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month!♥️🫶🏼♥️We are thrilled to feature several Art Explorers studio artists with Down...
10/21/2026

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month!
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We are thrilled to feature several Art Explorers studio artists with Down syndrome who we celebrate as awesome individuals and innovative artists— Annamarie DeAngelo, Tim Peterson, Buddy Peterson, and Caiti Su Barff. Check out their work on our website at artexplorers.org
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From National Down Syndrome Society ~ “October is one of our favorite months of the year! Join us in supporting the Down syndrome community during this special month. In the 1980s, NDSS participated in the efforts to have October proclaimed “Down Syndrome Awareness Month,” or “DSAM,” and this designation continues today. It’s a month to raise awareness and celebrate the many abilities of our loved ones with Down syndrome. DSAM seeks to break down barriers and focus on promoting advocacy for people with Down syndrome. NDSS celebrates October in a different way each year and we invite you to get involved and spread the word. Use to post on social media, and don’t forget to tag NDSS so we can share your post!”
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Image Descriptions: A series of portraits of artists in art studios, intermingled with colorful drawings - both abstract and figurative, and facts cards about Down syndrome awareness.
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Some moments from the fashion-themed group show, Fashion/Forward, currently on view at University of Michigan Institute ...
10/15/2026

Some moments from the fashion-themed group show, Fashion/Forward, currently on view at University of Michigan Institute for the Humanities🌸Curated by Amanda Krugliak and Paige Wery, the show features an exciting and completely joyful collection of artwork by artists from progressive studios across the country including from AE studio artists Annamarie DeAngelo, Mike Smart, Carl Roden, and Eeka McDonald!
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PASC: Fashion/Forward
October 8 – December 1, 2026
Institute for the Humanities, Osterman Common Room, 202 S. Thayer
Gallery Hours: M-F 9am-5pm
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“Fashion/Forward is an invitational group exhibition, co-curated by Amanda Krugliak and Paige Wery, and presented in the Institute for the Humanities Osterman Common Room celebrating the innovative work by artists with developmental disabilities and/or mental health differences from 16 progressive art studios around the country. Both including fashion and about fashion, the exhibition features drawings, paintings, sculptures, textiles, wearable clothing, accessories, and other fabulous fashion-inspired works and is organized in conjunction with the 2026 Creating Community Conference in Detroit.”
Amanda Krugliak Institute for the Humanities Paige Wery Tierra del Sol Gallery
PASC Arts of Life Progressive Art Studio Alliance
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Another happy patron of the arts! 🤗💗Thanks so much, Wendy, for sending us these sweet pics of you with AE studio artist ...
10/14/2026

Another happy patron of the arts! 🤗💗
Thanks so much, Wendy, for sending us these sweet pics of you with AE studio artist Eeka McDonald after purchasing one of his prints!
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A reminder that 50% of all studio art sales go directly to Art Explorers artists! Support our creative community by buying original artwork! 💗✨
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Image Descriptions: 1) A smiling man in a wide straw hat and gray hoodie stands with his arm around a woman in a bright pink fleece, posing in an art studio; 2) a colorful abstract drawing covers a sheet with green, yellow, blue, and pink wiggling lines over a red circle with a smiling face.
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Exciting Upcoming Exhibition!⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨✨In November, we are thrilled to begin hosting Confluence, a group exhibition at th...
10/13/2026

Exciting Upcoming Exhibition!
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In November, we are thrilled to begin hosting Confluence, a group exhibition at the AE studio gallery, curated by PressYess and featuring eight professional artists from outside of the AE studio who were invited to create work in response to artwork by eight AE studio artists. Join us for the opening reception First Friday, November 6 from 5–7pm!
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PressYess is the curatorial project of Meg Valentine, a print-based conceptual artist and Program Director of the MFA-IA program in Reno, Nevada, and Anna Newman, a project-based conceptual artist, award-winning filmmaker, and documentary photographer based in Reno.
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“Confluence, at the Art Explorers in Ft. Bragg, California, asks what might happen if we allowed ourselves to be influenced by forms of creative expression that exist outside the usual circuits of recognition and validation. The artists of Art Explorers (whose contributions are too often overlooked within broader contemporary art conversations) become the catalysts, teachers, and points of departure. The exhibition celebrates intuition, experimentation, and the unexpected connections that emerge when artists respond to one another across different experiences and practices.” Anna Newman + Meg Valentine
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This marks the first time Art Explorers has invited visiting curators to organize an exhibition at the studio gallery, and we are thrilled about this opportunity for our artists and the local community! Stay tuned for updates and please join us to celebrate on the 6th!
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Image Descriptions: 1) Two women with light complexion and brown hair stand smiling in front of a large cardboard-letter installation beneath a “PRESS YESS” sign, with warm spotlights creating a playful gallery mood; 2) Colorful abstract artwork by Elaine Parks made up of flowing blue, pink, black, and yellow shapes, beside a small sculpted figure by Cody Hock; the vertical word “CONFLUENCE” between these two images; 3) Flyer for “Confluence,” an Art Explorers exhibition in Fort Bragg, California, featuring 16 artists, with dates, reception details, gallery hours, and a QR code.
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PASC: Fashion/Forward opens today!🔥🔥🔥Artwork by several AE studio artists is featured in PASC: Fashion/Forward, an invit...
10/08/2026

PASC: Fashion/Forward opens today!
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Artwork by several AE studio artists is featured in PASC: Fashion/Forward, an invitational exhibition of fashion-inspired artwork by artists from 16 progressive art studios across the country. A huge congratulations to all the participants in this exciting exhibition!
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Lady with a Pretzel Hat drawing by Mike Smart; Isn’t That Pretty! Reversible Bucket Hat by Carl Roden (in collaboration with Lu Daum); Lady Laying Down by the Shoe drawing by Mike Smart; Happy Vest by Eeka McDonald (in collaboration with Lu Daum); Portrait from People Magazine painting by Annamarie DeAngelo.
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PASC: Fashion/Forward
October 8 – December 1, 2026
Institute for the Humanities, Osterman Common Room, 202 S. Thayer
Gallery Hours: M-F 9am-5pm
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Opening Reception with Co-Curators Amanda Krugliak and Paige Wery in conversation:
Thursday, October 8, 2026
4:00 - 6:00pm
Institute for the Humanities, 202 S. Thayer
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About the exhibition
“Fashion/Forward is an invitational group exhibition, co-curated by Amanda Krugliak and Paige Wery, and presented in the Institute for the Humanities Osterman Common Room celebrating the innovative work by artists with developmental disabilities and/or mental health differences from 16 progressive art studios around the country. Both including fashion and about fashion, the exhibition features drawings, paintings, sculptures, textiles, wearable clothing, accessories, and other fabulous fashion-inspired works and is organized in conjunction with the 2026 Creating Community Conference in Detroit.”wery

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💎Studio Merch💎✨Studio Artist Amanda Winkler has a passion for earrings and the studio gallery is stocked full of beautif...
10/07/2026

💎Studio Merch💎✨
Studio Artist Amanda Winkler has a passion for earrings and the studio gallery is stocked full of beautiful pairs just waiting to be snatched up!
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Swing by the studio Tuesday — Saturday from 9am—5pm to get your own pair of two.
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Image Description: Three pairs of handmade beaded earrings on white: colorful seed beads, stones, and dangling pendants in earthy, vibrant tones.
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Today was full of so many great speakers! Here are a few moments from Day 1 of CCC7 — the 7th Annual Creating Community ...
10/07/2026

Today was full of so many great speakers! Here are a few moments from Day 1 of CCC7 — the 7th Annual Creating Community Conference in Detroit, MI hosted by
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1) artwork by Tyree Guyton
2) opening remarks by Anthony Marcellini
3) from Amber Nax’s presentation, Blackness and Disability: Intersections and Insights
4) artwork by John Behnke
5) John Behnke during his presentation, Finding Connection Through Art: Independent Learning, Mixed Media, and Neurodiverse Creativity
6) from Brian Kavanaugh’s presentation, Somewhere Between Knowing and Not Knowing, Facilitating Conditions for Creativity
7) Tara Tucker during her presentation, Tools of the Trade: Adaptive Practices and Creative Community
😎 from Renee Reizman’s presentation, Building Community with Disability Drawing Club
9) Brian Kavanaugh
10) Amber Nax presentation
11) artwork by Tyree Guyton
12) drawing by AE studio artist Mike Smart featured in the CCC7 Symposium catalog
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We are so excited to be attending CCC7 in Detroit this week! 🎨✨This year, Art Explorers has been invited to give a brief...
10/05/2026

We are so excited to be attending CCC7 in Detroit this week! 🎨✨

This year, Art Explorers has been invited to give a brief presentation about our studio alongside several other progressive studios from across the country. We’re incredibly honored to share more about the work we do and to be part of such an inspiring gathering.
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This symposium is an incredible opportunity to learn new ways to enhance the progressive studio experience for the artists we support, while connecting with staff and participants from studios across the country and around the world!
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We’re looking forward to learning, sharing, connecting, and bringing new ideas home with us! Stay tuned for more photos and updates from the conference throughout the week.
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“The Creating Community Conference brings together artists and professionals from progressive art studios* across the United States and beyond, along with professionals active in disability arts, rights, and theory, to discuss best practices, advocacy, and the evolving landscape of art and disability. This annual event, a Creative Growth initiative launched in Oakland, CA in 2019, aims to foster dialogue and collaboration around the importance of inclusive creative spaces for artists with developmental disabilities and mental health differences.

This year’s conference will be hosted in Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is locally organized and led by the Progressive Art Studio Collective (PASC), with support from the University of Michigan Institute for the Humanities and Library Street Collective. National administration and strategic support is being provided by Creative Growth, in collaboration with the Progressive Art Studio Alliance (PASA).”
PASC
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Image Description: Bold white “CCC7” dominates a vibrant abstract painting of expressive faces and colorful brushstrokes, creating an energetic, celebratory mood.
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Address

333 N Franklin Street
Fort Bragg, CA
95437

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm
Saturday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+17079616156

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