By Patricia Villers, Register Staff

SHELTON — The spirit of volunteering has always been alive and well in the Valley, and now the Valley Philanthropy Council and Valley Arts Council are collaborating to promote the spirit of giving.

The organizations have planned “The Art of Giving,” a juried art show, “to further philanthropy in the Valley,” said Arlene Greco, director of development at Birmingham Group Health Services in Ansonia.

Greco represents the behavioral-health organization on the council.

The show and reception will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce office, 900 Bridgeport Ave. Admission is free and the event is open to the public, Greco said.

Organizers will take last minute registrations until 2 p.m. today, said Jill Nichols, vice president of the Valley Arts Council.

There are 40 artists registered, she said.

The call went out last spring to area artists to come up with their concept of the art of giving, in whatever medium they choose, from fine art to poetry. The idea is to raise awareness of the need for philanthropy in the community.

Greco said several artists who have work that does not fit into the giving theme have come forward to display their work and have agreed to donate 50 percent of the proceeds of any sales to a member of the Valley Philanthropy Council. Artists who have used the giving theme are asked to give 20 percent of the proceeds of any sale.

An awards presentation is planned for 3 p.m. One of the prizes is a $500 cash award for Best in Show, sponsored by The Valley Community Foundation.

Nichols said Lisa Furman will play instrumental music during the afternoon. Continued...

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Greco urged the public to visit the chamber office to see the artwork, which will remain on display through Dec. 6.

Local nonprofit organizations that are not members of the Valley Philanthropy Council are welcome to join the group, she said.

In addition to Birmingham Group Health Services, the Valley Philanthropy Council includes the Boy Scouts of America, Housatonic Council; the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Lower Naugatuck Valley; Griffin Hospital; Lower Naugatuck Valley Parent Child Resource Center; Training, Education and Manpower Inc.; United Methodist Homes; Valley Community Foundation; Valley United Way, and Visiting Nurses Association of South Central Connecticut.

Patricia Villers can be reached at pvillers@nhregister.com.

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