​​This is the final installment in our four-part series with Creativity Explored, whose mission is "to provide developmentally disabled people access to the human right of creative expression." Please listen to Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 if you haven't already.

Vincent Jackson has been making art at Creativity Explored for more than half of his life.

In this podcast, Vincent shares his life story with us. He was born and raised in the Bayview. He had drawn some here and there before a social worker told him about the non-profit in the Mission. He used to spend a lot of time at the Bayview Opera House. That was 37 years ago.

He says that CE became family to him after his mom died.

Vincent has sold a lot of his art over the years. He's done commissioned pieces for folks and fashion where he gives another artist pieces to be quilted. He was once on a speaking panel with Paul Moshammer (featured in Part 3 of this series). His favorite thing about doing art at Creativity Explored, as he puts it, is: "It's no limit here."

Late last year, Vincent went to New York City to show his art. It was his first trip there and he enjoyed it. In fact, he wanted to stay longer, although he did miss home.

Vincent loves his hometown, but isn't happy with the changes in San Francisco. He feels like people used to be nicer to one another.

He plans to keep doing art and maintains an open mind about the future.

We recorded this podcast at Creativity Explored in the Mission in January 2022.

Photography by Jeff Hunt