Art Program - CIC

Cultivated in Creativity (CIC) is dedicated to cultivating a community immersed in creativity, as the name implies! We build upon the notion that by focusing on our common passions, in this case creativity, we transcend differences and build a stronger community.

Theresa Nelson, founder of CIC was inspired to create this organization through years of interaction with the special needs community. As a single parent of a (now) young man with autism, she knows very well the limited resources available for activities in this community.

Sunday Funday

On the first and third Sundays of each month at 4:00 pm, we meet on Zoom to enjoy an art project and socializing with one another. If you'd like to be notified of these meetings, sign up here and indicate you'd like to be added to our email list.

Below are some testimonials and pictures of the participants and artwork they have created.

"What I like about the program is that I get to spend some time with you on zoom and make some new artwork with you!"

Miriam Macias-Jaquez

"I'm so glad to be part of this community, creating art and interactin with some of the most beautiful souls I've ever met."

Rosemary Levulett

Art in the Garden

Theresa also host a weekly art workshop each Thursday at 12:30 at Common Roots Farm. We are currently on a winter hiatus, but workshops will resume the first Thursday in May.

If you'd like to volunteer your time, visit our volunteer registration page.

Below are some testimonials of the participants and pictures of the participants and artwork they have created.

"Noah LOVES the art class and is so excited each Thursday to join in on the fun. He is always so proud to share his work and has a wonderful collection in his new home! I am so grateful to Theresa and for having this program, so that our community can strengthen and further bonds can be made between the participants."

Heidi Cartan

"Brett and I look forward to every Thursday because we get to go to Theresa’s Art in the Community Day. A lot of families in our community struggle to find reoccurring fun inclusive events for individuals with disabilities. So far, Theresa’s art programs are the only consistently fun social event Brett is excited to go to every week and it has made a world of difference for our scheduled days to have something so reliable, creative, & fun to look forward to."

Katheryn Gentile

"Thank you so much for the wonderful art program you offer at Common Roots Farm. The activities are so creative and well designed for the participants. We look forward to each week."

Dan, Becca and Julia Haifley

Other CIC Volunteer Projects

Theresa has also volunteered hosting numerous other workshops and at events as follows:

Maple Street Recovery House: Art Workshops
Christmas fundraiser at Trinity Church, to help fund materials for free workshops.
Stable Life Services: Art Workshops.
All Faith Church Homeless Shelter: Art workshops.
Tahoe Zephyr Cove Retreats: Cook meals and provide art workshops.
Adventure & Learn: Art workshop.
Shared Adventures: Halloween parties providing creative workshops. Art at Common Roots Farms and Day on the Beach.
Living Evolution: In person creative workshops.
Sweaty Sheep: Various art workshops, including for an eating addiction recovery group and `Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church.
Artist's Way Workshop: This was an online free, twelve week workshop created to help support those in need of connection, during Covid isolation.
Midtown Friday Block Party: Support local disabled artist to display and sell her art.
Contemplative Christian Group, Companions on the InnerWay hosting the art worksohps during a five-day retreat in South Lake Tahoe. The following were created by the attendees:

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