GREENFIELD — In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Franklin County and North Quabbin is hosting its inaugural Hope & Healing Art Show.

The opening reception, which will take place Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Greenfield Community College in Room 103 of the East Building, will feature the work of about a dozen youth artists, according to Child and Family Outreach Clinician Lynn Blanchard.

“We work with kiddos that have suffered trauma every day and they teach us so much and bring so much light to us,” she said. “I thought it would be really great for not just the kiddos we work with, but all the kiddos in our area, to be able to share something that will bring that light to others.”

Blanchard said she put out a call to area schools for artwork. The work of children from Shelburne Falls to Athol will be on display. All contributing young artists will receive gift cards for their work.

“It’s pretty small this year, but we’re hoping to make it an annual event,” she said.

The theme of this year’s show is hope and healing, a concept that is integral to the Children’s Advocacy Center, according to Executive Director Jeffrey Trant.

“That’s really the cornerstone of our mission,” Trant explained. “That’s something we’ve woven through a lot of our events.”

After two weeks at GCC, the Hope & Healing Art Show will move to Hager’s Farm Market on Route 2 in Shelburne for one week, followed by a week at Erving Station on East Main Street in Erving.

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.

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