In honor of Black History month, the Art Center, 818 Pike St., Lemont, will host an exhibit of works by Haitian artists.

The Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania is presenting the exhibit, which opens today with a reception for the public from 7 to 9 p.m.

Jean-Role Jean-Louis founded the Haitian Alternative Arts Studio in Mont-Rouis, Haiti, in 1999. It was started as an artist's collective which promotes Haitian artists and also provides schooling and an apprenticeship program for neglected Haitian children.

Artists from this studio contributed pieces that depict life in Haiti. Amalia Shaltiel, a volunteer at the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania, feels that the artwork shows the hardships of the people, but also incorporates their hope.

"I think these show some of the daily life, but they also show the spirit of Haiti, the beautiful colors and the classic ways of portraying Haiti. It's a combination of folk art and self expression," she said.

She said 16 paintings and four sculptures, all created in Haiti, are on display.

The sculptures were made by Patrick Ganthier Killy, an important contemporary sculptor in Haiti. His work has been acquired by many American art collectors.

Gérard Fortuné, Rénel Xavier, Adolph Guerold, Claude St. Philippe and Marc-Elie Xavier, whose ages range from mid-20s to 60s, created the paintings. Shaltiel said these artists have probably never been to America, as Jean-Louis does most of the traveling to promote the Haitian Arts Studio.

Acting Director of the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania, Connie McGeorge, said that Haitian women have the strongest links to black women of Africa.

She was struck by paintings that depicted Haitian women carrying baskets on their heads.

Some of the paintings showed the frequent desperation of those who live there. "When things are so bleak, where do they find the brightness in life?" McGeorge asked.

She also said, "The work is exuberant. It's very bright."

The hours for viewing the exhibit are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow, noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 22, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb 23 and noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 24. Admission is free and all sales from the exhibit benefit the Alternative Arts Studio's apprenticeship program. Those who would like to contribute to this project can also contact the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania at (814) 234-2740.