Elana Cooper works in the studio at Creativity Explored, a nonprofit based in San Francisco's Mission District that serves artists with developmental disabilities.

The life of an artist, including those with a developmental disability, can be a solitary one, but Elana Cooper is part of a thriving community. Each day, a van picks her up and delivers her to her studio in San Francisco’s Mission District, where she joins dozens of other artists at work.

Since 2013, Elana has been a member of Creativity Explored, a 42-year-old nonprofit studio and gallery based in San Francisco that serves artists with developmental disabilities. Florence Ludins-Katz, an artist, and Elias Katz, a psychologist, founded Creativity Explored as well as Oakland’s Creative Growth and Richmond’s NIAD Art Center.

A staff member makes sure Elana has the supplies she needs and helps her explore new ideas and techniques. They are also there to help when she undergoes a seizure.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

“I have many each day,” she said. “It’s so annoying.”

Every year, Elana charts her progress with her team and talks about what she wants to achieve next. To be sure, her art career is one that many contemporary artists only dream of. A painter best known for bold yet tender flower silhouettes, Elana has seen her work exhibited at the Oakland Museum of California, at San Francisco’s Museum of Craft and Design and in dozens of local and national group shows. Her work is........

© San Francisco Chronicle