EXHIBITIONS

Creative Citizen Studios presents exhibitions that celebrate the vision, talent, and creative voices of artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our shows highlight the individuality of each artist while fostering a more inclusive and accessible arts community. CCS invites audiences to experience art that is bold, personal, and deeply connected to the lived experiences of our artists. Each exhibition builds meaningful connections between artists and the wider public, reinforcing our belief that creativity thrives when everyone is included.

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS:

ABOUT SIDEWALL

sidewall is an exhibition space dedicated to showing works by artists both local and abroad, creative collaborations, guest curations, etc. this is done in hopes of increasing the opportunity for artists to publicly exhibit work, contribute to the visual dialogue of the neighborhood and inspire conversation. It is hosted on the side wall of a private residence at the corner of 608 S. Millvale & Lima Way, Pittsburgh PA 15224.

Through this collaboration, sidewall expands opportunities for Creative Citizen Studios artists to publicly exhibit their work, contribute to the visual dialogue of the neighborhood, and engage a broad public audience. Artists will rotate from January through December according to the following schedule:

Mick Fisher (Jan-Feb)
Faron Thompson (Mar-Apr)
Julie Piller (May-July)
Jami Johnson (Aug-Sept)
Robin McKee (Sept-Oct)
Daijah Massie (Nov-Dec)

ART ON CARSON

ABOUT ART ON CARSON:

Art on Carson is a collaborative public art initiative led by a partnership between the East Carson Street Business District and South Side based non-profit, Brew House Arts. This temporary storefront window program invites local and regional artists to provide works of art for display in vacant windows along East Carson Street, contributing to the street’s vibrancy and creative identity.

Creative Citizen Studios (CCS), Associated Artists of Pittsburgh (AAP), and Brew House Arts (BHA) partnered for the Art on Carson Project to exhibit past CCS + AAP collaborative work, celebrating professional artists of all abilities. CCS’s mission is to bring people of all abilities together through art by supporting artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities in creating, exhibiting, and selling their work. AAP is a membership-based organization dedicated to enhancing the region’s cultural vitality and promoting visual arts excellence through exhibitions, education, and community dialogue. The Art on Carson Project activates public space through accessible, community-driven exhibitions. For five years, CCS and AAP have collaborated on inclusive programming and large-scale exhibitions that highlight mixed-ability creativity and expand access to the arts for all artists.

This expansion of the partnership includes Brew House Arts as a platform for presenting CCS + AAP collaborative work in new public spaces, increasing visibility for artists across organizations. Brew House Arts leads the Art on Carson Project.

More information can be found here: https://brewhousearts.org/art-on-carson/.

OUTSIDE FORCES 2026 (Washington, dc)

We’re thrilled to celebrate the CCS artists selected to exhibit in Outside Forces. Congratulations to our selected CCS artists, Mick Fisher, Daijah Massie, Jami Johnson, Robyn McKee, and William Taylor!

ABOUT outside forces:

Art Enables welcomes independent artists and those from sister studios around the country for their 20th annual exhibition of work by self-taught artists! The term “outsider art” may call to mind a number of concepts, many that have been historically debated. Defined in the strictest sense, it may include only artists who work in extreme isolation, have little to no contact with other artists and art institutions, and who may not even have a concept of their own work as art. Today, with outsider art gaining popularity and recognition, and under the ever-present influence of the internet, the term is often (sometimes controversially) used more broadly, focusing on self-taught artists. While an exact definition of outsider art can be difficult to pin down, one often feels they know it when they see it: inventive work of extreme individuality motivated by the artist’s own personal concepts and desires, rather than the expectations of the mainstream art world.  

Art Enables embraces these more expansive parameters in “Outside Forces.” Featured artists include individuals who are emerging and self-taught, are from traditionally underrepresented communities, and those with disabilities. All have paved their own way in the formation of their work, representing personal experiences and interests in individual styles developed outside the conventions of mainstream art education and culture.  

This exhibition began in 2006 as a way for DC-area groups working with self-taught artists to exhibit together. Over the last 20 years, the exhibition’s success has seen it grow to feature artists from across the nation alongside our resident artists. With a selection of affordable work in a wide array of styles, the show continues to be an excellent introduction to outsider art for those looking to start their own collection. 

Participating Studios and Independent Artists: Art Enables, Art Explorers, Artists First, Arts of Life (South Side), Arts of Life (North Shore), Center for Creative Works, Community Access Art Collective, Creative Citizen Studios, Creativity Explored, ECF Art Centers, Fresh Eye Arts, Imagine That!, Interact Center for Visual & Performing Arts, Make Studio, North Pole Studio, PASC, Project Onward, Pure Vision Arts, SAGE Studio & Gallery, Saint Elizabeths Hospital, Spindleworks, Starlight Studio and Art Gallery, Studio IN-Sight, Tierra del Sol Gallery, VaultArt Studio, Vibrant Palette Arts Center, VisAbility Art Lab, Visionaries + Voices, Avantika, Electra B, Charles Drakeford, Muskanpreet Kaur, Cazoshay Marie, shurjo mukhi, Andrew Wohl

PAST EXHIBITIONS:

This year's AAP + CCS partnership exhibition throughlines: mapping our worlds showcases collaborative work from both CCS and AAP artists, who have come together in mentor-to-mentor partnerships. The exhibition also features guest artist experiences from Michelle Browne and Paul Rosenblatt.

AAP’s Lawrenceville Exhibition Space Hours: Wednesday–Friday: 11am–6pm

Location: AAP Exhibition Space (100 43rd St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201)

AAP + CCS Featured Artists

• Christine Holtz + Julie Pillar

• Eric Anthony Berdis + Robyn

• Carrie Smith Libman + Mick Fisher

• Christine Bethea + Jami Johnson

• Kristin Letts Kovak + Faron Thompson

• Quaishawn Whitlock + Matt Carroll

• Daijah Massie + Lauren Braun

This partnership is made possible by the Arts, Equity and Education Fund. View past partnerships on our YouTube.

Opening Reception Photography by Chris Uhren