Art
Story-telling and inclusion are pillars of our art programming. Using air-dry clay, we provide a creative experience that fosters individual expression and creativity. We incorporate individualized lesson plans to accommodate each student’s needs. We use techniques to guide learners to be creative, play and have fun. Clay is malleable, forgiving and therapeutic, and we invite youth to explore the tactile nature of the material. Sensory stimulation has many benefits, and we customize our art-creation for each program, incorporating inspirational and conversational prompts for sculpture creations where everyone is included. At times, we include analogue photography as a tool to connect and celebrate our accomplishments. Our incredible Teaching Artists incorporate hands-on techniques, benefiting our learners and spreading pride and creativity that carries on through our expanded communities, schools and families.
Healing
Art and healing can be synonymous. At CLAYDD, they are. We blend sound therapy, breath-work and guided meditation with clay-play to provide a calm experience that fosters individual expression and mindfulness. Through a variety of mindfulness activities, we create a safe space for children and adults to express their emotions. Our dedicated healers provide a nurturing and grounded environment that promotes self-awareness, community and connection. We teach the skill-sets to help calm one’s emotions and enhance self-regulation and self-healing and we’re committed that through practice and consistency, these tools will be accessible for the rest of their lives.
Education
In our programs, we nurture the adaptability of the youth’s unique minds in our program’s minds, and we’re committed to supporting the needs of our youth in Special Education programs. We expand the untapped potential of creativity that is often viewed as a survival skill for the disabled community. Before working with clay, we prepare students through mindfulness practices like stretching and hand yoga to best equip them for the sensory experience. After meditation, we incorporate journaling and other forms of written expression to help students process and reflect their emotions. We meet our learners where they are at, creating each lesson plan to be individualized for our learner’s levels and needs. We include the teachers, care-givers and parents and offer our distinct programs to adults, leaders and educators.
Past workshops and Collaborations
2026
POMONA WELLNESS COMMUNITY
SFV FAMILY CENTER
HORACE MANN UCLA COMMUNITY SCHOOL
CRAFT CONTEMPORARY CLAY LA 2026
JUNIOR HIGH: KIDS CLAY DATE X CLAYDD
Morningside High School/Inglewood High School
2025
SFV FAMILY CENTER
POMONA WELLNESS COMMUNITY
MCKINLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
MCKINLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MILLS ELEMENTARY (WHITTIER)
UCLA – WELLNESS SYMPOSIUM – FRIENDS OF SEMEL
Craft Contemporary – CRAFT LAB
Berggruen Institute – Multispecies Constitution
Bridging Beauties LA
LA Freewaves – Healing Spaces for Art + Justice Jam
Future ID’s- Healing Spaces for Art + Justice Jam
CA Lawyers for the Arts
FROGTOWN:TADPOLES EVENT
Street Poets Retreat
WHITTIER WEST ELEMENTARY
2024
Pasadena High School
McKinley Middle School
McKinley Elementary School
Katherine Edwards Middle School
Alliance McKenzie High School
Other Places Art Fair
Ichote Futures- Melrose Botanical Garden Gallery
2023
San Pedro High School
Public Counsel Los Angeles
No Limits Learning Center
Everybody.world Terracotta shorts
Levitt Foundation
Palisades Jewish ECC
Pasadena High School
Lydia Jackson Elementary
Craft Contemporary – CLAY LA
2022
San Pedro High School
POT Studio LA
Salesian Family Youth Center
Pacific Health Clinics Pasadena
Say Their Names LA- Children’s Day Event
Verdugo Hills High School
Aldo Chapparo Studios
Program Outcomes
☆ Strengthened self-regulation and coping strategies for youth and caregivers
☆ Increased family bonding through shared creative experiences
☆ Development of emotional literacy and communication skills
☆ Greater sense of safety, confidence, and self-expression
☆ A nurturing space that promotes social-emotional learning and community wellness
Leadership
CLAYDD’s Leadership and Training impacts Creative Wellbeing Learning Community Gathering – Creative Co-regulation with Neurodiverse Communities. The Creative Wellbeing Learning Community is a collaborative space for Los Angeles County practitioners who support youth to restore, build community, and experience healing-centered creative practices for both themselves and the communities they serve. Through interactive experiences with presenters from CLAYDD, Rhythm Arts Alliance, and Jazz Hands for Autism, participants will engage in embodied practices — including mindfulness exercises, breathwork with live drumming, and guided movement — that foster connection, accessibility, and collective care. The Creative Wellbeing Learning Community is a collaborative space for Los Angeles County practitioners who support youth to restore, build community, and experience healing-centered creative practices for both themselves and the communities they serve. Through interactive experiences with presenters from CLAYDD, Rhythm Arts Alliance, and Jazz Hands for Autism, participants will engage in embodied practices — including mindfulness exercises, breathwork with live drumming, and guided movement — that foster connection, accessibility, and collective care.
