"Every time I go to something like this, I get inspired. And it gave my daughter and I a day to come and play," said Kate Evans-Haines of Hermitage, speaking of her 4-year-old daughter Bailey. "Plus I think it's good for small children to be exposed to something simply wonderful and beautiful."

The wonderful and beautiful that Ms. Evans-Haines spoke of was the Health and Beauty Day of Art held Saturday morning at the Womancare Center in Hermitage. And that feeling is exactly what Kim Lombardi, director of the center, was hoping to give to women of all ages who attended the event.

"We just wanted to make sure we tend to the larger spirit of health," Ms. Lombardi said. "We were hoping to offer yet another level of care for women. I believe art is healing, whether you are the recipient or the contributor."

More than 250 people were able to refresh their spirits by enjoying artwork from at least 40 artists from the Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Youngstown areas with art mediums as varied as jewelry, pottery, photography, sculpture, watercolor paintings and mobiles. "Almost the whole spectrum," Ms. Lombardi said.

"I came out because (my daughter) is really interested in art and she's actually taught me that she's learned about art a lot this year," said Marlene Lineberger of Sharpsville, referring to her 10-year-old daughter Jessica. "There's a lot of art here. I liked them. Whoever made them -- they're really creative."

"It feels good to go out with my mom and see everything," Jessica said.

Besides sampling an array of fresh fruit, scones and pastries, guests got to hear Dr. Amy Farrell, associate professor of American studies and women's Studies at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa. She spoke about body size and body image and how women are inundated with the belief that "we are not enough as we are."

She encouraged women to write down on a piece of paper the one beauty standard they could live without and put them in a "freedom" trash can. The standards included make-up, a girdle, and losing weight to be the perfect size.

A portion of the proceeds from artwork purchased at the event was donated to AW/ARE, the local women's shelter. So far, Ms. Lombardi said, the amount exceeds $200. "We have already had anywhere from 25 to 100 percent of sales proceeds donated," she added.

More than 100 pieces of artwork will continue to be on display at the center and will continue to be open to the public. Most of the items are for sale, and the Womancare center is asking for the artists to donate their own chosen amount of the purchase price of their artwork to AW/ARE. The display will be changed every four months.

Another benefit from the event that Ms. Lombardi didn't realize would happen was the opportunity for women to view the rooms and equipment displaying artwork, that they could possibly be treated in. "For someone who has never been here before, it took away an element of the unknown which can be a barrier to women seeking health care."

"I was very pleased to see the number of people who were courageous enough to come to something so different," Ms. Lombardi said. "I was very pleased with the blending of health-care providers, artists and educators all for the benefit of women and overall health."

She said they hope to have a similar event in the fall.

"It's really nice to see how many different ways people see things," Ms. Lineberger said. "It's kind of wonderful that it could be hanging in one building. It'd be nice if we could take all of our different opinions and put them in one room and find a way to get along in our differences."

For more information, call (724) 347-7700.