For the past nine years, the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts (LCVA) has partnered with Crossroads Community Services on their annual Camp Unity.

According to an LCVA press release, from Sunday to Aug. 6, the center will exhibit more than 80 works that were created by Camp Unity participants. A special opening reception and meet and greet with the artists will be held Sunday, from 2-4 p.m. in LCVA’s lower level.

“This year the camp was held at Burkeville Lodge for the Blind and offered traditional summer camp activities like swimming, volleyball and archery,” officials said in the release.

“LCVA’s Director of Education Outreach Emily Grabiec, Assistant Educator Martha Butler, and LCVA education work study student Amelia Smith provided unique art activities.”

“Each artist was asked to create an image describing themselves through expressing their personal accomplishments and traits they were proud of,” Grabiec said in the release.

Camp Unity serves more than 80 adults with developmental disabilities and provides them with an opportunity to enjoy all of the traditional summer camp activities while promoting a sense of community and camaraderie among the participants.

“Sharing art experiences with the Camp Unity community is as meaningful to the LCVA staff as it is to the artist participants,” Butler said in the release. “LCVA simply brings materials and an idea to the campers and the room becomes alive with vibrant colors, laughter and creative expression.”

“It was so rewarding to help these individuals express themselves through art,” Smith said in the release. “It’s important to appreciate all forms of art, especially when it came from people with such passion and excitement for what they created.”