In this article we focus on systematically overlooked forms of creative expression and propose the CASE model to account for them and the reasons why they often go unrecognized. This model points us to four main reasons why creative outcomes can easily remain in the shadows or go unrecognized even if they demonstrate novelty and usefulness to different degrees. These are: lack of capital (C); lack of awareness of being creative or doing creative work (A); lack of spark or of having the original creative idea (S); and lack of exceptionality or the property of visibly standing out from other productions (E). Each one of these is discussed and exemplified given that lacking one or more of the above dimensions significantly decreases the chances of the contributions being considered creative, or even potentially creative, by the outside world or even the creator. We conclude with some reflections on why appreciating shadow creativities can foster personal development as well as increase social justice for the benefit of all.