An act of creation, art can be pleasing to the eye, the ear, the touch. Art can also create value, worth and appreciation.

Friendship Heart Gallery and Studio's annual art benefit auction is a great many things to a great many people. But at its most basic level, the auction is about individuality, equality and value.

"Art is a really great way for Heart artists to express themselves," said Leah Scheib, Friendship Heart Gallery's manager. "Our mission is to celebrate their personalities, just get across to everyone that what they do is important. It gives all of our artists a voice, creatively, to dive into their most inner feelings and expressions."

This year's edition of Friendship Heart Gallery and Studio's art benefit auction, the 21st, has been dubbed "Soaring Beyond Boundaries." It will take place on Thursday, March 21, at Grace Church, 501 W. Lincoln Ave., Lititz. The silent auction will begin at 6 p.m., and Friendship Heart Gallery and Studio will present a program featuring its artists at 7 p.m.

Individuals who cannot attend but would like to bid on the works of art can do so online at http://www.friendshipart.net/artauction.

Light refreshments will be served, and a giveaway drawing will be conducted. Everyone is welcome to attend, but tickets are required and preregistration at the previously mentioned website is encouraged.

"It's a really fun night to showcase our abilities and talents," said Scheib. "We'd like everyone to come out and support local arts."

Friendship Heart Gallery and Studio is a day program designed to assist individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. During the auction, 31 works - mostly paintings, but also some photographs - by program participants, known as Heart artists, will be made available for bids.

"Those who attend can meet the artists, talk to them and get to know them," said Scheib. "The event has evolved into something special for these artists. It's an opportunity for them to come together and engage with the public. That's incredibly important for them. We try to get our artists into the community, to have interactions. This is one of the greatest events for that because it's about our studio and them."

Over 100 individuals, family, friends and members of the community are expected to attend the art benefit auction, and Friendship Heart Gallery and Studio is hoping to raise $30,000. All proceeds from the event will go toward supporting the gallery and studio and its functions, including utility carts, chairs, standing desks, additional furniture, art supplies, frames, ink and paper.

"We do other fundraisers, but this is the biggest one of the year for the gallery," said Scheib. "It's very important for us."

Friendship Heart Gallery operates two studios, one at 1159 E. Oregon Road, Lititz, and the other at 118 N. Water St., Suite 101, Lancaster. There are currently 66 Heart artists enrolled in Friendship Heart Gallery and Studio's inspirational program.

Heart artists work with instructors one or two days a week to create works of art and learn about the artistic process. The artists work in the creative mediums of painting, photography, pottery and weaving.

"We want to make the studio available for the Heart artists to attend and create their masterpieces," said Scheib.