Galerie Impaire

Guaranteed Personality's Melissa Unger writing for I V Y paris

Galerie Impaire is a project envisioned by Oakland, California’s legendary Creative Growth Art Center.

For the past 35 years Creative Growth has served adults with developmental, mental and physical disabilities.

They provide a stimulating environment for artistic instruction, gallery promotion and personal expression. Artwork fostered at the center is now even included in prominent collections and Museums worldwide.

Creative Growth Art Center's Director, Tom di Maria explains their mission:

"Artists with disabilities offer us a visceral and authentic reminder of what creativity is.  From an audience/viewer perspective, it can demystify and open the door to aesthetic appreciation - because the viewer's opinion is as valid as the critics. In an arena where art history does not directly relate to what we show, the door is open to spontaneous and intuitive interactions with our artists work."

GALERIE IMPAIRE's next show COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN will feature a mix of works, some by Creative Growth artists, some not. Part of the Paris gallery’s goal is to enable a dialogue between works by contemporary artists and artists with disabilities.  The same night, in the gallery’s secondary space, you will be able to explore the work of Creative Growth artist William Scott.  Scott’s work will also be featured in a group show opening at the Palais de Tokyo at 8 pm on September 25th.

In addition to the gallery, there is a small shop that sells objects created by the Center’s artists, those proceeds are divided equally among each artist, regardless of who’s work is sold.

Swing by the next opening on September 24th from 6-8pm. And please keep the galerie in mind all year around. If you’re looking to expand your art collection or to buy a gift for a friend...both the art and the objects (T-shirts, bags, etc) are quite affordable.  50% of the proceeds from all sales of works by Creative Growth artists go back into funding for the Center in Oakland, the other 50% goes straight to the artists.

Beyond discovering original, and powerful outsider art, it’s a wonderful opportunity to support the creative expression of individuals who are working hard, with beautiful and inspiring results to overcome the challenges they face.

Galerie Impaire
47 rue de Lancry
75010 Paris