AUGUSTA — On Thursday, April 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Hall of Flags in the State Capital Building will be the site of an exhibit by artists with disabilities from across the State of Maine.

The Maine Association for Community Service Providers is organizing the fourth annual special celebration of the arts called Lest We Forget. There will be a wide variety of artwork by talented artists from across the state. Many of the artists will be present with their family and friends.

The title of the exhibit comes from the anniversary of the closing in 1996 of the Pineland Center in Pownal, when the last individual left the center. One chapter in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities had ended.

In 1907 the Maine Legislature had established a school for “idiotic and feeble-mined” children. In the late 1950s some 1700 residents lived in approximately 50 buildings. It was a place where people were left and often forgotten.

In the time that has passed, Maine leads the nation in welcoming people with disabilities into our communities, our schools, our workplaces and into our art world. It is important that we not forget from whence we come.

MACSP is an association of more than 70 organizations providing community-based services to people with intellectual disabilities. Services include preschools, early intervention services, community supports, work supports, case management, home supports, respite and parent education. MACSP members provide services in all 16 counties in Maine.

Hope Association in Rumford is a proud member of MACSP and the association hopes that people coming through the Hall of Flags on April 3 will appreciate the artwork and the fact that not so long ago these artists might not be living and creating in our communities throughout Maine. Lea Walker and Sue Marcellino are two of the honorary artists and contributors to the display this year.