Newburyport Art Association and Opportunity Works presents OpArt: New Works. This exhibition showcases the artwork created with OpArt, an arts program for adults living with disabilities in Haverhill and Newburport.

OpArt is dedicated to empowering adults with disabilities to enrich their lives through creative expression and artistic practice by providing art instruction in a variety of mediums and techniques. Open studio sessions are held weekly at the Haverhill and Newburyport Opportunity Works locations. Artists are encouraged to work freely with materials offered (paint pastels, collage, drawing, sculpture, etc.) to create artwork centered on a particular theme or work independently. All forms of expression are encouraged, and the result is artwork that is unique, vibrant, and innovative.

This exhibition is a bright spot of sunshine in the gallery. The artists on view use bold, bright colors that pull you in and there are many abstract pieces that leave us mystified by forms. In light of the last few years, it is this kind of artistic joy that reminds us what smiles are for.