YOUNGSTOWN — A “Celebration of Abilities” is shining a light on the artistic talents of individuals who are served by boards of developmental disabilities in Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties.

The art show will be displayed during February, which is Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month. Barb Wilson, director of cultural arts and Jewish engagement for the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, said the more than 30 pieces of artwork in different art media are being shown in the Thomases Art Gallery inside the Jewish Community Center on Gyspy Lane in Youngstown.

“Last year, I wanted to have an art show to show the work of artists with special needs. It was a success our first year, so I wanted to continue it,” Wilson said.

She said she spoke with Stephanie Champlin of the Fairhaven Foundation and while the first year was just Trumbull County artists, this year also includes artists from Mahoning and Columbiana counties.

The art show is a collaboration between the Thomases Family Foundation of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation Art Gallery and Fairhaven Foundation. Being featured in the show is work by students from Fairhaven School in Niles, who attend a monthly art beginners and intermediate classes at the JCC.

“Our January class is showing their artwork in the show,” Wilson said.

She said the idea for the show came from when she attended a training session on different inclusion ideas for art.

“As I talked to people about the art show idea, they also suggested having a class for people who don’t do art on their own and would have an opportunity to show their art,” Wilson said.

“This allows us to focus on inclusion activities and show that services are open and accessible for everyone to use.”

One of the artists being showcased is Alexis Gerak of Brookfield, who said when she was diagnosed with autism, she mistakenly told people she was diagnosed with “artism.”

“I love nature and painting scenes of nature with birds. People tell me they like the colors I use and tell me they are vibrant colors,” Gerak said.

She said she remembers when a middle school art teacher told her about making sure the artist puts their signature on their work, noting instead of putting it on the edge, she hid it in the painting.

“I try to hide my signature somewhere so people have to look for it. This way your eyes do not get stuck on the signature you can easily see. This way they look for my signature like a scavenger hunt,” Gerak said.

She said she likes doing art because it is very calming. One of her art pieces was purchased by Kaytlin and Zachary Felger.

Artist Melissa Baker of Liberty said she has been doing artwork for the past couple of years for fun.

“I like painting trees, flowers and lakes. Some of the people tell me they like the black and white work that I do and others like the spray painting. I like it when people like my art and provide me feedback,” Baker said.

Baker said she attends the intermediate monthly art classes at the JCC and this month they have made canvas bags.

“This allows the public to come here and see what these artists are capable of doing,” Champlin said.

Other featured artists at the show were Columbiana County residents Ryan Creighton and Allen Ammon.