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Art by Children With Special Needs Sold to Benefit Crown Heights Nonprofit

 The Friendship Circle will host a gallery show and fundraiser at the Jewish Children's Museum this weekend.
Friendship Circle Gallery Show
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CROWN HEIGHTS — A gallery exhibit featuring more than 80 young artists is coming to Crown Heights to raise funds for a local nonprofit.

On Sunday, the Jewish Children’s Museum will host a fundraiser featuring the artwork of 83 young members of the Friendship Circle, a nonprofit organization that engages special needs children in educational and recreational activities.

“For the past two months we have been working together with the children on creating these beautiful art pieces,” said Chani Majesky, director of the Friendship Circle.

“We have two local artists who are well-known in the Jewish community  Michoel Muchnik and Estee Klein  who have given up their time and who come to motivate, admire and direct the art collection.”

In addition to Muchnik and Klein, Majesky said the artwork is possible thanks to about 250 teenage volunteers who take time to work with Friendship Circle members, both at the Children’s Museum and through home visits. This is the first time the group has done this sort of arts programming, she said.

“There are very few opportunities in our community for children with special needs to shine,” she said.

Each of the 83 pieces, which are a mix of paintings and mosaics, will be professionally framed and hung for the exhibit. They are priced between $100 to $500, but those prices shouldn’t scare off potential admirers, Majesky said.

“We’re inviting everyone to join us whether it’s to purchase a piece or to look and show support,” she said, adding that there will be cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and goody bags for attendants.

The Friendship Circle art exhibit and sale will take place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 4. All proceeds will be donated to support the Friendship Circle. The event is free and open to the public.