Works by artists who refuse to let disabilities keep them from artistic expression will be on display in Conyers. The 29th annual Georgia Artists with Disabilities, Inc. state-wide tour with approximately 50 award-winning pieces of art from disabled artists across Georgia, including one from Conyers, will be on display March 5-22 at the Nancy Guinn Memorial Library, 864 Green Street.

The entries in the 2013-14 exhibit include paintings, photographs, clay pottery, mosaics, textiles and other mediums considered fine art. The nine-city tour kicked off in Moultrie in September and ends in Douglasville in July.

"Georgia Artists with Disabilities continues to be an avenue that allows hundreds of disabled artists to achieve recognition and commercial opportunities for their unique pieces of art," said Glynice Hayes, GAWD chair. "We're proud to be an advocate for the disabled in communities across Georgia and honored to put their art on display every year for the public to see and enjoy."

The award-winning Conyers artist is Missy Rasco, who won Distinguished Merit for the acrylic "Passion Flower Profusion." Rasco, who has Down's Syndrome, is a very careful artist and can execute any vision she wishes. She once painted an intricate Hindu temple in green, which was donated to Georgia Community Support and Solutions. In addition to her artistic talent, Rasco is a dancer and actress in theatrical productions at the Our Place day facility for adults with disabilities in Conyers, operated by Rockdale Cares.

A special reception was hosted by the Conyers Pilot Club on Tuesday, March 11, from 5-7 p.m. at the library.

The non-profit Georgia Artists with Disabilities, Inc. was founded in 1985 by the Pilot Clubs of Metro Atlanta and is supported by Georgia District Pilot Clubs. The goal of the Pilot International Foundation is "full citizenship for people who are disabled."

The mission of Georgia Artists with Disabilities is to provide avenues through which Georgia artists with disabilities can display their artistic accomplishments in all disciplines of the arts, and to create public awareness of the artistic skills these artists have developed by overcoming the obstacles of their disabilities.

For more information about the exhibit, contact the Library at 770-388-5040.