ArtShare for HeartShare will launch its 7th Annual Season with an exhibit from July 1 through July 31 at St. Francis College.

ArtShare for HeartShare is a multi-media presentation, featuring artwork created by children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy and epilepsy. The artists participate in HeartShare’s programs or live in one of HeartShare’s residences.

Artist Kenneth created this oil pastel titled Harvest Fields. He participates in HeartShare’s Brooklyn Partnering with Autistic Citizens or PACT Day Habilitation Program.

Last year, ArtShare pieces were displayed throughout the Downtown Brooklyn community at NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering, National Grid at 1 MetroTech Center, and the Brooklyn Public Library at Cadman Plaza.

Starting with about 35 submissions, ArtShare for HeartShare has grown to a show with up to 50 artists and more than 200 works, including drawings, paintings, collages, photographs, prints and hand-crafted jewelry. As a self-sustaining program, the proceeds from art sales go directly to the artists as well as support the purchase of quality art supplies, framing materials and gallery space.

“The looks of happiness and pride when the artists see their work and the work of their friends on display for the first time is priceless,” observed Barbara Cuthel, Founder and Co-Curator of the ArtShare program. “This exhibition is just one of many ways that HeartShare shows New York communities how capable this population really is. Their art has the creativity, imagination, energy and fresh perspective not seen among some trained contemporary artists,” noted Cuthel.

St. Francis also recently partnered with HeartShare’s Day Habilitation Programs to provide volunteer opportunities at the college, which prepares individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities for gainful, mainstream employment. “I’m grateful that with community partners, like St. Francis College, our program participants are able to experience opportunities for extraordinary self-expression while becoming integral and valued members of their communities,” said HeartShare Executive Director of Developmental Disabilities Services Linda Tempel.

For more information on ArtShare for HeartShare and upcoming exhibition dates, visit www.heartshare.org/artshare.