Inspired by the work of Creative Growth (Oakland, CA), Kristin Otwell and Joan Burleigh founded Art Explorers in 1992 with four participants at a group home for developmentally disabled adults. Currently, 44 artists are part of the program. We are a progressive art studio operating five days a week, 9am-3pm, with dedicated staff who work with the artists in our studio space as they create drawings, paintings, prints, sculpture, ceramics fabric, and media art. We provide working space, art supplies, staff support, and a place to sell and promote artwork. We facilitate connections between the studio artists and the greater Mendocino County arts community through a guest artist program, field trips, and the exhibition and sale of artwork in the studio gallery, online, and at local galleries and businesses.