After 25 years leading Creative Growth Art Center, Tom di Maria brings a unique perspective on the evolution of art and disability and Access Gallery’s place within that field. From Tom:

I had the pleasure of visiting Access Gallery in the summer of 2026 to participate in some advancement planning with their team. While I had known Damon and several members of the staff for numerous years, I was excited to finally get to see the facilities for myself.

I spent a terrific few days meeting the artists, visiting the studio and gallery, and engaging with the staff. The studio program is of high quality with a large variety of visual media available, and a studio program that supports a person-centered approach to artistic advancement. The studio team is enthusiastic and arts focused, and they create a supportive and welcoming environment for the artists who work there.

The gallery space is in a prime location in one of Denver’s signature arts district This proximity offers numerous advantage as it places the artists work in the center of Denver’s contemporary art scene, and allows the gallery to participate in monthly group openings with neighboring art spaces.

Spending two days with staff, I attended portfolio reviews of several artists, and held advancement meetings with the leadership team to discuss Access Gallery’s growth and future direction, I was impressed by the teams professionalism, knowledge, and commitment to make Access Gallery an outstanding program for the studio participants. We discussed options for organizational growth, exhibition planning, sales development, and furthering engagements with community groups as ways to bring the artists further into leadership roles within the organization and in the community at large.

Access Gallery is an example of how the field of art and disability is advancing. Started as a VSA chapter, over time it has evolved into a stand alone non-profit, expanding its studio and exhibitions activities and moving the artists forward into the contemporary arts arena. These important advancements reflect the impact that fifty years of groundbreaking work by supported studios have brought to people with disabilities in Denver and around the world.

Access Gallery is a needed and creative asset to Denver’s artistic stature. If you haven’t found the time to visit, what are you waiting for?

Tom di Maria
Director, Arts Access for All

About Tom di Maria

Tom di Maria is the founder and Director of Arts Access for All and Director Emeritus of Creative Growth Art Center in Oakland, California. He served as Director of Creative Growth for 25 years, developing partnerships with museums, galleries and international design companies that helped bring artists with disabilities more fully into the contemporary art world. A recognized leader in the field of art and disability, Tom speaks internationally about artists with disabilities and their place in contemporary culture. In 2019, he received the American Folk Art Museum’s Visionary Award for his work supporting artists with disabilities.