Support is important to many artists, whether they are just starting out or are professionals with years of experience.

The Associated Artists of Central Iowa will be helping support each other with an exhibit for the community at the Polk County Heritage Gallery in Des Moines.

The exhibit will contain about 70 pieces, said Marsha Brooks, gallery coordinator.

“The exhibit includes works in watercolor, oil, acrylic, pastels, charcoal and pencil drawings,” Brooks said. “There are various techniques of different types of mediums.”

The artists who are putting on the exhibit belong to the Associated Artists of Central Iowa. The group has about 80 artists that meet on a regular basis. They have rented the gallery because they like to show their work, according to Brooks.

The group puts on about four shows a year, and the pieces chosen are invitational, Brooks said.

“It is a good-sized exhibit,” she said. “Although this is a shorter exhibit, only three weeks instead of the usual four to six weeks, it draws a good crowd.”

A member of the group, Connie Guillaume, said the group has been in existence for 38 years to share ideas, do workshops and demonstrations, and support each other.

“We meet the first Wednesday of every month and usually inform each other of new ideas, concepts, and then do a workshop,” Guillaume said.

Guillaume has two pieces in the exhibit at the gallery, an oil painting and a pastel portrait.

The artists use the showing to express emotions, feelings and thoughts about the world in a unique way, Guillaume said. They also use the shows as venues to sell their works.

“I think it is really exciting to have a group of artists come together and bring the diversity of medium and subject matter, size and our backgrounds,” Guillaume said.

Associated Artists contains both professionals and people just starting out, according to Guillaume.

“I believe the exhibit at the [Polk County Heritage] Gallery speaks well of the diversity of our members,” she said.

Guillaume also says she enjoys learning from the other members of the group.

“Artists are working on their own a lot, so the social support is important,” she said. “We have lots of fun together and learn a lot.”

Brooks says the diversity of the members of the group is well represented.

“This is a beautiful show,” she said. “I just hope a lot of people come and view the works, and support the artists.”

The Gallery is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturdays during October, from 9 a.m. to noon.