BATH — The Chocolate Church Arts Center plans to present “Headway,” a group show featuring artists from the Independence Association program Spindleworks. The show opens Friday, March 4, and runs through April 9 at the Chocolate Church Arts Gallery, 804 Washington St. in Bath. An Open House event is set for 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at the gallery, with Spindleworks representatives attending.

The nonprofit Spindleworks organization provides self-taught and unique artists the tools necessary for self-expression and full inclusion in the artistic community. Over 15 artists will present their work in a variety of mediums, from painting to photography, in a show that promises just the kind of liveliness and color needed this time of year.

“We are a program of Independence Association, whose mission is to provide adults with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to live full and inclusive lives,” Senior Program Director Brian Braley said in a news release from the gallery. “We provide opportunity for artistic and professional growth in an experiential creative setting.  Our artists sell and represent their work whenever possible, which serves as an important source of income.”

Artists often work collaboratively, on projects like murals, art installations and poetry books, but they also create their own work based on their personal desires and goals.

“Art gives us energy to super charge our self-esteem, explore self-identity, expand value, increase communication, form new friendships, nurture our spirits, build courage, dissolve boundaries, and enrich our imagination,” Braley said.

CCAC curator Kimberly Becker has long been a fan of Brunswick’s Spindleworks. “CCAC has done shows in the past with them, and I was so enchanted by the work then that I contacted Spindleworks when I became curator here to arrange a show,” she said. “This group of artists create art unencumbered by preconception, and the results are marvelous.”

Spindleworks supports 50 artists from the surrounding communities including Bath, Brunswick, Richmond, Topsham, Freeport, Sidney, Portland, Wiscasset, and beyond.

Braley named the show “Headway” in “the spirit of hope.”

“The pandemic has been a challenging time for us and we have learned to adapt to the ever changing environment,” he said. “Regardless of restrictions, we are finally feeling that we can move forward joyfully no matter what the world throws at us.”

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday

For more information, call 207- 442-8455, email William.lederer@chocolatechurch.com or visit chocolatechurcharts.org.

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