About Uncommon Ground Creative
Uncommon Ground Creative was born from my desire to spend the rest of my working life doing something I love, with people I love.
As retirement became a closer reality, I decided it was time to dig deep and start building the life I wanted after my corporate career. And art is it.
Why art?
I discovered art in my 50s during a particularly stressful time in my life. It began with adult coloring. After filling several books with detailed, layered color, I decided I was tired of coloring other people’s pictures.
So, I tried drawing my own—and it worked.
Then I took a class or two in colored pencil and watercolor. I spent time online following artists I connected with both artistically and emotionally—which really means I liked them! Shout-out to Barb Owen of How to Get Creative, Cat Hand and her Mixed Media Morsels, and CeeCee of Creations CeeCee.
I learned a ton, created alongside them, and eventually found my own artistic voice.
The piece you see here combines an original acrylic pour with a collage representing my inner self. It later became the background for my favorite poem I’ve ever written.
Now I want to share what art—and the act of “arting”—has given me: time to slow down, breathe, work with my hands, and reconnect with my own creative self.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create welcoming art experiences that help people slow down, reconnect with their creativity, and experience the renewal of making—while building meaningful, inclusive employment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This mission is deeply personal to my family. My husband and I have seen how the transition into adulthood without meaningful employment can steal joy, social connection, purpose, and pride from people we love.
Our daughter, Morgan, is Uncommon Ground Creative’s first employee. As we grow, so will our inclusive workforce.
It’s not a separate program or a side project. It’s simply what we do here.
More Than Creative Experiences
Uncommon Ground Creative also provides fulfillment and piecework services for artists, makers, and other creative businesses.
Most of our creative experiences take place during evenings and weekends, leaving daytime hours available for other meaningful work. Our crew is ready to support other creators in addition to completing our own in-house projects.
Maybe you’re a candle maker who needs labels applied to hundreds of jars. Maybe you’re an artist who needs a stack of substrates gessoed or painted. If you have repeatable creative or fulfillment work that needs capable hands, we would love to talk with you.
Please join us as we build Uncommon Ground Creative into a thriving place for creativity, connection, community—and meaningful work.