MARIETTA — The reception and opening of aMAYzing ART, a month-long celebration of local artists by the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Marietta, will be at 6 p.m. Friday at Third and Putnam Streets with live music, chances to meet the artists, and tours of the 166-year-old First Unitarian Universalist Church.

Musicians Leeann Gallucci, Betsy Hune Kalter and George Hausser will be among those performing between 6 and 8 p.m. in the church, which is at 232 Third St. Just outside the church, Elin Jones’s 12-foot-tall, yellow eyed dragon is expected to swoop in with its 20 foot wingspan and make an appearance for the evening. Youth ages 5-17 will be invited to participate in a wide variety of creative arts under the guidance of art teachers, artists and adult volunteers.

The exhibits range from 10-year-old Rileigh Trembly’s multimedia creations to 91-year-young Perl Totman’s handcarved wooden animals and photographs of his East Muskingum Park ash tree masterpieces.

Columbus artist Laurel Hobden, who presented textile and social justice banner art during Homecoming 2022, is again sharing her banner art and has donated a cascade of paints for the Blooming Young Artists’s program from noon to 4 p.m. on May 6. Retired art teacher Wendy O’Brien will be guiding the Blooming Young Artists.

An environmentally friendly cardboard non-steam train will be designed and painted by some of the budding artists. They and others then will be able to enjoy their creation through the month of May.

May 7, there will be a special coffee time offered in the social hall or courtyard in honor of the late Cody J. Henderhan, who was a Columbus barista. He also was an animal and plant lover and gardener for the Washington County Boys and Girls Club. Church tours again will be offered that day..

The aMAYzing ART! also will be open on a Saturday, May 27, during the church’s annual plant sale in the courtyard. The show closes May 31.

More than 45 artists are expected to exhibit their art in this year’s celebration. The church society began the aMAYzing Month for ART! in 1988. All events are free, with donations accepted to help cover expenses. The art exhibits will be open Sundays through May and by special arrangements for groups, as volunteers are available.

For information or to participate, volunteer or donate for expenses, contact Roger G. Kalter, Art! coordinator, at 740-525-1833 or Dawn Hewitt, office assistant, at 740-373-1238.