ST.
PETERSBURG, Fla. – Creative Clay Member Artist Shasta G. will debut
her solo exhibit, Elegant Expressions, Feb. 8, 5-9 p.m. during ArtWalk.

Shasta, originally from Chicago, has been with Creative Clay since 2015.
She started making art in high school and said, “I love art. I don’t dwell on
the past. I look toward the future.” 

After college in Clearwater, Shasta was in the Navy for
three years as an assistant pilot, and she became a radar specialist on her
ship. She expressed that she liked being in the service because it was a
challenge for her.  She also speaks French, which she learned in high
school. 

Shasta paints with acrylics, her favorite medium, and
experiments in styles that range from abstract to figurative. She references
artists she admires, such as Modigliani and Frida Kahlo. Her series of
portraits of women, both famous (Coretta Scott King) and from her imagination,
appeared in a 2017 solo exhibit, “Elegant Women” in the Good Folk Galley. 
Her work, including hand drawn artist cards, can be found in the Museum of Fine
Arts Store.

Director of Exhibitions Jody Bikoff curated the show, which
celebrates Creative Clay’s 25^th anniversary and celebrates equality
through art.

“Shasta’s expressive
figurative work is inspired by relationships and concepts of beauty,” Director
of Exhibitions Jody Bikoff said. “She creates pieces that focus on the strong
woman, using bold, contrasting colors and quick brush strokes. Her
subjects have a regal quality.”

Creative
Clay’s vision is to make the arts accessible to all. Since 1995, Creative Clay
has pursued equality through art by helping people with disabilities achieve
full and inclusive lives through access to the arts by providing expressive,
educational and vocational experiences.

Creative Clay’s core program is its Community Arts Program, which
serves 50-60 adult artists with neuro-differences each week. Through the
implementation of additional offerings, such as the inclusive Art Around the
World Summer Camp, Summer Studio for older teens and young
adults, Artlink employment program, Creative Care Arts in Wellness
outreach program, and
its Pinellas County Schools’ partnership Transition program,
individuals of all ages and abilities are mentored, taught and empowered to
become working artists who actively create, market and sell their work. The
result is that a formerly stigmatized population, through the art it creates
and sells, demystifies stereotypes surrounding those with disabilities and
creates a culture of acceptance throughout the community.

Visit www.creativeclay.org;
like and follow Creative Clay on Facebook, on Instagram @creativeclaystpete, on
Twitter @creativeclay.

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