Artwork from The Arc on display

The current exhibit at the Carroll Arts Center displays everything from a bright watercolor painting of butterflies and an Andy Warhol-inspired lion piece to beaded jewelry and speckled pottery.

All items are on sale and all were created by artists from The Arc Carroll County, which supports people with developmental disabilities.

Lisa Albin, director of development at The Arc, said since the success of its first art show at the Carroll Arts Center in 2010, the artists and their families have been asking to have another one. “It was so popular, we sold all but two or three pieces last time,” Albin said.

This year, 29 artists are displaying about 95 wall hangings, jewelry and pottery pieces, Albin said. The exhibit started Tuesday and runs until March 27 in the Tevis Gallery of the arts center.

Artwork created by clients of The Arc Carroll County is currently on display in the Art of The Arc exhibit at the Carroll Arts Center in Westminster.

Some pieces already have a sold sticker on them, including a framed mixed media piece done by an artist named Ralph Gemmill titled “Hodge Podge” that combines watercolors with cotton balls, glass pieces and decorative leis.

Being able to create the art and exhibit gives the artists a great sense of pride, Albin said. It’s also a source of income for the artists since they get 100 percent of what their pieces sell for, she said.

Susan Williamson, visual arts coordinator for the arts center, said the artists are all extremely proud of their works and enjoy talking about their pieces.  It’s an exhibit she really enjoys as well.  “This is really art created from the heart and soul,” Williamson said. “It’s inhibited artwork that is fresh and free and just wonderful.”

Lyndi Stewart McNulty, owner of Gizmos Art and a board member for The Arc, donates the frames to be used in the exhibit.  She said she loves seeing what the artists from The Arc create and even commissioned one of the artists to do a painting of her black cat. “The art is so well done and looks every bit as good as other art exhibits,” McNulty said. “There’s lot of color and vibrancy and meaning.”

Albin said the art show can also be a great lesson for members of the community.

“Our artists’ creative ability can stand on its own and be considered art just like any other exhibit so it equals the playing field,” Albin said. “I think showing these pieces helps people to better understand it really is all about ability and not disability.”