"Enter the Dream" is not just an art show; it's a celebration of boundless creativity, and an opportunity to witness the incredible talents of individuals with developmental disabilities. Inside Out Productions, a social enterprise of L.A. GOAL, is dedicated to providing a platform for these remarkable artists.

Threads of Unity

This art project is a collaboration between 14 Inside out Productions Artists. It beautifully weaves together the spirit of community, the power of unity, and the artistry of working together. This remarkable piece is crafted from upcycled fabric, embodying the idea of transformation and renewal.

Multiple Artists worked together to create the base-layer weaving, which entailed ironing upcycled fabric strips, rolling them into balls of fabric (like balls of yarn), warping the loom, and operating the loom to weave the fabric. This required the Artists to work together to complete a complex process from start to finish and to take responsibility for all the steps involved, which required patience, focus, and persistence.

Additionally, each artist contributed a small square, a testament to their unique vision and creativity, which collectively forms a larger tapestry of inspiration.

Adding to its depth and significance, "Threads of Unity" incorporates pieces of canvas, each adorned with handwritten affirmations. These affirmations serve as a reminder of the strength that comes from community and the positive impact that can be achieved when individuals work together towards a common goal.

The Artists who contributed to this piece are Bryan A, D'Marcus B, Jennifer B, Rebecca C, Andy C, Lisa F, Gillian G, David H, Elisa J, Kris L, Joe M, Jenifer N, Matthew S, and Brad S

SOLD

Slow Stitched Embroidery

Slow stitching is an embroidery technique in which the Artist mindfully stitches on fabric with no particular aim or direction. This spontaneous, low-stakes practice creates the conditions for “flow,”  which occurs when one is completely present and immersed in a task.

A Fusion of Unlikely Partners

In a delightful fusion of unexpected materials, this project combines the delicate and intricate art of watercolor painting with the transformative power of stitching on paper. Bold mark-making with ink adds a third dimension of depth, resulting in artworks that defy traditional boundaries. These mixed media artworks capture moments of joy, reflection, and contemplation, inviting you to interpret their meaning through your own lens.

Woven Table Runners

Handmade from Donated Fabric

Here in L.A. GOAL's Fiber Art Department, we are determined to creatively repurpose materials in ways that are both functional and unique. The handwoven runners bring a sense of importance to the Artists. This project is our way of creating something both beautiful and useful in any home. We understand that making sustainable art reduces our impact on the environment and adds a new purpose to our work. We make a difference by reclaiming and developing functional art.

Our Process

We start off by washing each piece of fabric or remnant before sewing and cutting them into strips. These strips are then ironed and rolled into balls of fabric before the weaving process can begin. The Artist hand selects combinations of various prints and colors to weave together. We then prepare each of our 3 looms with a technique called warping, which is a tedious task that requires space and close attention to detail.

Each step is an important part of the work and the experience. Weaving teaches us to not limit ourselves and to look far beyond what's in front of us. It teaches us that we have the ability to go further and not be afraid of the things that are both challenging and unfamiliar. We are grateful for our wonderful Volunteer/former Staff Member Claudia Buchinsky for introducing this beautiful art form and providing us with the support to learn something new.

Endangered and Extinct

An endangered species is a type of organism that is threatened by extinction. Species become endangered for two main reasons: loss of habitat and loss of genetic variation. Loss of habitat can happen naturally. Human activity can also contribute to a loss of habitat. For example, development for housing, industry, and agriculture reduces the habitat of native organisms. Loss of genetic variation is the diversity found within a species. It allows species to adapt to changes in the environment. The L.A. GOAL Artists have painted these beautiful examples which demonstrate the diversity of endangered animals and insects on canvas with acrylic.

The Emerging Artists

The Emerging Artist Art Class was created for those Members for whom creating art is a newer experience. In the group, the Members work very hard and it usually takes them a whole year to finish each project. The Members have all made a lot of progress in their personal skills and in their artistic abilities. We can proudly say that many of these Members were able to realize their talent and achieve excellent results when they were given a chance to do so.

Art on the Recycling

Our process begins with washing and cleaning empty glass bottles with soap. Then, we clean the surface of the bottles with alcohol. To create a frosted texture on the surface of the bottles, we make a nontoxic mixture of cornstarch, alcohol, glue, water and acrylic paint. The Emerging Artists transfer their original drawings onto flattened air-dry clay to be carved from the clay and adhered to the bottle. They use yarn and rope to further decorate the bottles. For the first time, the Emerging Artists work and learn how to paint with sponges and a material that dries faster than regular clay. This project teaches the Emerging Artists that recyclable items can be converted into meaningful artwork.

Saturday Art Class

Stitching on Paper

Through the art of stitching on paper, the artists bring to life their visions with every thread and needle. The combination of thread and paper transforms two-dimensional surfaces into three-dimensional narratives. In these pieces, you'll discover a fusion of texture, color, and imagination.

Painting the Dream

Each artist expressed their dreams and creativity through these watercolor paintings. The artists contemplated the concept of dreams and what they mean, considering their own thoughts and aspirations. After taking a moment to close their eyes and imagine their dream, they explored and experimented with watercolor to paint their dream onto paper.

Painted Paper Parasols

This enchanting art project transforms ordinary paper parasols into extraordinary works of visual delight. These painted parasols, once mere functional objects, have now become vehicles of joy and wonder.

Ocean Waters

This project features a painting process that explores texture, light, and shadow, and how these elements are used to create the illusion of depth. First, the Artists build up the surface of the image with modeling paste to create actual texture on the surface of the canvas. Then, paint is added to depict light and shadow, ultimately creating a more 3D visual image. Altogether, this process creates the explosive look of the wave’s movements.

Interiors

Using vanishing points, one can systematically represent the depth of a given space. This technique is called “one-point perspective.” In this project, the Artists paid close attention to the direction of lines and the scale of objects in order to create interior rooms that appear to recede into space, as if the viewer could step right into the frame. We invite you to explore these spaces and imagine: Who or what occupies this room? What happens here? Is there a story to this space?

Additional Artwork

 A Very Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

The Carsey Family Foundation

The L.A. GOAL Annual Art Show is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture. 
This exhibition is supported by the LA County Department of Arts and Culture as part of Creative Recovery LA, an initiative funded by the American Rescue Plan.