Salvation Army Creative heARTs open house set Nov. 13

The Salvation Army Developmental Disabilities Program will hold its annual art exhibit open house from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13, at Pat’s Pizza, 17644 Coastal Highway, Lewes. Artists will also be at the event to discuss their work.

The open house will feature an exhibit of works by the artists of the Salvation Army Creative heARTs program. The Salvation Army DDP goal is to help people with developmental and cognitive disabilities become integral parts of their communities. Program participants hold jobs within the community, volunteer with other nonprofit agencies and take part in many community activities with support from DDP staff.

Creative heARTs was started in 2007 to give artists with developmental and cognitive disabilities the opportunity to hone their artistic and creative skills. It also helps them find opportunities to show the community their artworks created in mediums including watercolor, acrylic, and pen and ink.

Pat’s Pizza has given space on its walls for Creative heARTs program artists to show their work for the past several years. “The Creative heARTs program shows us that the imagination to create can never be confined. The reaction of these proud artists seeing their artwork displayed and sold has been priceless,” said Alex Kotanides, Pat’s Pizza owner. 

During the Nov. 13 event, Pat’s Pizza is running a special offering a free medium pizza to anyone who purchases a piece of artwork. “I hope we sell out,” said Kotanides. In the past, the artists have sold over 40 paintings in a night.

“The pride and enthusiasm our artists get from a sale of one of their paintings is amazing. We have been doing this for 17 years, and it is still as exciting as the first painting they sold,” said Christy Cugno, Creative heARTs program director.

The artists will also have notecards, Christmas cards and prints on display, made from their original artwork. The items are available to view or purchase at any time, year-round, while visiting Pat’s Pizza. 

For more information on The Salvation Army and these programs, call Christy Cugno at 302-934-3730, Ext.111 or email christy_cugno@use.salvationarmy.org.