Through the month of February, seven artists will be exhibiting work that encompasses hope, strength and joy in an effort to raise awareness about the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the work it does to help local children at a time when their days are challenging because of treatments and illness.

Leslie Woodfill, the wish manager at Make-A-Wish Foundation of Alaska and Washington, arranged the show at Nectar Tasting Room, 120 N. Stevens St. The display kicks off with a reception from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday that includes live music by local singer/songwriter Karrie O’Neill.

“Hope, strength and joy are three emotions that are the heart of the mission of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and each artist chose the expression that best fits the work that they offered for the show,” she said. What doesn’t sell in Spokane will be brought to a gala fundraising event in Seattle in March.

Woodfill, also a photographer, is donating a photo that, to her, represents joy. Other photographers include Crystal Toreson, whose work elicits strength, and Mark Anthony, who is donating a photo of a young boy whose wish has always been to be a wheat farmer.

“Taking his photo really touched my heart,” Anthony said. “He and his family were flown from Norway and brought to a farm in Tekoa, Wash.” The boy couldn’t walk but he sat proudly on a wheat combine.

Painters involved in the exhibit are Linda Christine, Brenden Genther, Janice Ashe and Breanne Lamoureaux.

“I have contact with most of the artists in my personal life and I asked them if they would participate,” Woodfill said. “I met Linda at an art show and I asked her to join.”

Woodfill felt that Christine’s work was consistent with the theme of the exhibit. She is donating a large mixed media painting from her collection called “Ascending Journey.”

The other painters created pieces specifically for Make-A-Wish; both Genther and Ashe chose different perspectives of a sunrise illustrating hope and Lamoureaux relays strength in a tree with figurative elements. All of the artists see this as a way of giving back and a way to help wishes come true.