JAMESTOWN, NY — The James Prendergast Library Art Gallery will present works by artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities from The Resource Center December 9 through January 6 in a show called “Winter Lane.”

Dawn Smith and Joel Monagle work on one of the paintings to be included in the “Winter Lane” exhibit. (Submitted photo)

“Many people are very excited about the exhibit,” said Kristen Briggs, Creations art coordinator and art instructor at The Resource Center.

There will be opening receptions from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, December 9. The morning event will feature a choir performance at 10:30 a.m., and there will be caroling at 7 p.m. during the evening celebration.

“Winter Lane” by Dawn Smith and Joel Monagle (Submitted photo)

Both receptions are free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served. At each session, exhibit visitors can meet Ms. Briggs and some of the artists.

“Winter Lane,” the picture that inspired the name of the exhibit, is a group painting by artists including Dawn Smith and Joel Monagle. Other artists have chosen scenes like a snowman or a wintry forest.

On behalf of The Resource Center, Ms. Briggs said, “We appreciate the opportunity to exhibit and are eager to let the community know what we are doing in our art rooms.”

Ms. Briggs has been teaching art at The Resource Center for more than four years, and during that time she established the Creations art program at TRC. Ms. Briggs teaches art to individuals with disabilities at TRC’s five day habilitation programs in Jamestown and Dunkirk. Through the Creations program, Ms. Briggs has developed a number of accomplished artists, and in so doing she has helped give voice to those who cannot speak, as well as movement and freedom to people with physical limitations.

During the past few years, Ms. Briggs has arranged a number of public exhibits of her students’ work so that the community at large can experience the artistic talents of people with disabilities.

“Reindeer” by Carole Wetzel (Submitted photo)

“We are extremely grateful to the Prendergast Library Gallery for again hosting an exhibit of works by artists with disabilities,” said Steve Waterson, TRC’s community relations director. “The ‘Winter Lane’ exhibit will help local residents get into the spirit of the season while at the same time seeing firsthand the artistic abilities of Kristen’s students.”

Gallery hours for the exhibit will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays; and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays. Some of the exhibited works will be for sale; proceeds will support the Creations program.

The next Prendergast exhibit will feature the Southern Tier Woodcarvers’ Guild.

The library is located at 509 Cherry St., Jamestown. For more information, call 484-7135, Ext. 225. For more information about TRC’s Creations art program, call 483-2344.