Avance Day Spa celebrated its most recent gallery exhibit, "Art With A Heart," with a reception to benefit Embrace Hope on March 19.

Community members filled Avance's main lobby and hallways to view works of art by local artists Bill Glass and Jeanne Eleck. The exhibition is on view at the Church Hill Road day spa through May 7.

Mr Glass is showcasing his debut collection "Nature's Glory," which included about 50 colorful photographs.

Ms Eleck's collected works, entitled "Equine Splendor," offers a dozen oil paintings from her series "Blue Rock and Spiral Rock."

Gallery Curator Rosemary Rau discovered the work of the two artists and realized that their pieces complemented each other well.

"Rosemary is really the magic behind [the show]," said Ms Eleck.

When coordinating "Art With A Heart," the curator and the two artists sat down for the first time and got along right away.

It was as if the stars aligned, as Ms Rau describes the encounter simply as "friendship." She knew that the artist combination was something special.

"I love this show," Ms Rau said enthusiastically about "Art With A Heart."

After spending many long days assembling the show, Ms Rau was excited for the positive feedback coming in during the Sunday afternoon reception.

Ms Rau also expressed a great deal of gratitude for the many local businesses and residents who generously sponsored the exhibit. The donations that were raised will helped go toward benefiting the nonprofit group Embrace Hope, an equine assisted therapy program based in Sandy Hook.

"I love the arts," said Avancé Day Spa Owner Melanie Allen, "and I care deeply about this town."

Having lived in Newtown since 1974, Ms Allen says she wants to be able to give back to the community in any way she can.

Ms Allen bought Advance in 2009 and last year relocated from Sand Hill Plaza on South Main Street to The Village at Lexington Gardens, calling her business the "pioneer of the plaza."

She has hosted exhibits in the past with Ms Rau and hopes to continue to utilize her wall space at Avance to showcase more artists.

Ms Allen's next project goal is to get young, local artists to contribute to an exhibit so they can sell their artwork.

"Art With A Heart" is on view until Sunday, May 7, at Avance Day Spa in The Village at Lexington Gardens, 32 Church Hill Road. Artwork is still for sale.

Spa and gallery hours are Monday, 10 am to 4 pm; Tuesday, 11 am to 8 pm; Wednesday, 10 am to 6 pm; Thursday, 11 am to 6 pm; Friday, 9 am to 6 pm; and Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm.

To learn more, contact gallery curator Rosemary Rau at gallerynewtown@gmail.com or 203-426-2226.

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