The exhibit “OpenArts, Through Special Eyes” will open at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, with a reception at the Bay School Community Arts Center’s Art Speaks Gallery, Main Street, Mathews. It is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

The annual exhibition, this year titled “Flora and Fauna,” features the artwork of the Bay School’s community outreach programs and community members with special needs. It will be displayed through March 18 and is designed for the family.

OpenArts includes work from all of the Bay School’s community outreach programs, said the release. These programs bring the arts to those in the Gloucester and Mathews communities who, for a variety of reasons, aren’t able to attend regularly scheduled classes.

The Bay School currently conducts 15 OpenArts programs in the two counties, free of charge, said the release. The programs are funded by grants from local community foundations and are taught by three teaching artists and a number of volunteer assistants.

Story time

There will be two story time readings at the Bay School on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 12:15 and 2:15 p.m. They will feature the book “Matisse’s Garden” by Samantha Friedman. Participants will be invited to create a work of art inspired by the story as well as help turn the gallery into a colorful garden.