CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte Art League is home for artists with special needs.
"It's a good feeling. Reduces stress," artist Jamie McDowell said about painting.
Once each week, Goodwill participants who face intellectual disabilities or mental illnesses are brought to the gallery to paint. The result is 100 pieces of artwork that will go on sale Friday.
"The artwork gives them a chance to grow and to express themselves," said Jewel Reavis, president of the Charlotte Art League.
It's the third year for the program and the art keeps getting better.
"It's all positive. It's all very colorful," Reavis said. "It's bright, and there is not anything negative about it. It's all just wonderful."
Artist Donnell Knight is one of the regulars at Charlotte Art League. He is can't hear, but he can see and he's got a vision to paint.
"It makes me feel good," Knight said through a translator.
All the artwork is priced between $30 and $90, and 100 percent of the money goes to the artist.
"I'm going to get some money. I can't wait," Knight said.
The gallery's opening reception is Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. The artwork will be on display until June 25 at Charlotte Art League on Camden Road in South End.
For more information, visit http://www.charlotteartleague.org/wp/.
