Here's the most important thing to know about Friendship Community's expansion: It provides space for people with intellectual disabilities and autism to more fully spread their wings.

Everything else is merely details.

"Art is such a beautiful medium, and it is especially meaningful within the ID/A (Intellectual Disability/Autism) community as a way to communicate without the need for words," said Trisha Goldsborough, Friendship Community's marketing coordinator. "It can be incredibly challenging for a person with ID/A to express emotions, particularly for individuals who are nonverbal. Through art, you can often see a person's true self, parts of them that do not need words to be understood. Beyond creative expression, art also helps support fine motor skills, coordination and overall movement. It can even provide a calming and grounding outlet, helping to reduce aggressive behaviors and support emotional regulation."

Recently, the Friendship Community's Heart Gallery and Market increased its capabilities to serve heart artists by acquiring physical space at its downtown location at 118 N. Water St., Suite 102, Lancaster. The local nonprofit also operates a Heart Gallery and Market at 1149 E. Oregon Road, Lititz.

Both locations are open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

"Artists are able to create and grow their skills in the Heart studios and then sell their work at the Heart Gallery and Market," said Goldsborough. "The gallery component features artwork created exclusively by Heart artists in the program. Every art purchase directly supports the artists, as they receive a commission form each sale of their work. The market side features goods from small businesses across the nation, including spices, sauce, skincare products, dog treats and chocolates. Each of these products support businesses that are empowering individuals with ID/A, whether through providing employment opportunities or through entrepreneurs who are business owners themselves."

The newly expanded downtown Heart Gallery and Market allows more space for more artists to create, to showcase their work, to elevate talent and to host more community events. It's also enabled the organization to introduce products from entrepreneurs across the country.

In addition, the Friendship Community has expanded its online retail space at http://www.friendshipart.net.

"Our goal is also to create a space where people of all abilities feel welcomed and safe," said Goldsborough. "During events at the Heart Gallery and Market, we often see individuals with ID/A simply being themselves, surrounded by community and joy. I often see family members become emotional as they watch their loved ones thrive in an environment where they are fully accepted and celebrated as themselves. Safe, inclusive spaces like this are still too rare, and providing that sense of belonging for people in the Lancaster and Lebanon communities will always be the heart of our mission."

Currently, the Friendship Community has more than 60 individuals over the age of 18 with intellectual disabilities or autism involved with its Heart Artists programs.

"The people who make up Friendship Community are just that; they are people," said Goldsborough. "Friendship Community is full of talented creatives, entrepreneurs and workers with a wide range of abilities and personalities."

Formed from a lone faith-based residential home in Lititz, Friendship Community has been serving adults with disabilities since 1972. Currently, the nonprofit offers services like 23 residential homes for two to four individuals, home-based support, day programs and worship services.

"People with intellectual disabilities are often underestimated, and simply browsing the artwork on our site helps challenge those stereotypes in a meaningful way," said Goldsborough. "My hope is that people leave feeling inspired by what we do at Friendship Community and feel encouraged to support a mission rooted in inclusion and empowerment. The world needs more joy, and one thing I can say with certainty is that Friendship Community brings joy through everything it creates and shares."

For additional information, go to http://www.friendshipcommunity.net.