Holly Carrigan, an artist whose work is shown in Cathedral Square Gallery in downtown Mobile, is also a dedicated volunteer. She chairs her women's circle at Government Street Presbyterian Church and shares her artistic talent whenever she's called upon to do so.

So when Carolyn Greene, a fellow artist who works with the clients at the Mobile Association for Retarded Citizens fell ill and was in the hospital for several weeks, Carrigan pitched in to substitute for her.

She decided to combine her volunteer job at church with her new position as art teacher with Mobile Arc clients.

For about a month, she worked with 35 to 40 MARC clients.

"We made papier-maché fruits and vegetables, and we painted gourds (to make centerpieces) for the tables," she explained.

The clients blew up balloons, cut newspaper into strips, dipped the strips into a mixture of glue and water and covered the balloons with the wet newsprint. When the items were dry, they were primed and ready for painting.

Carrigan said her "art partner," 35-year-old Down syndrome client Brandy Hartley, "had wonderful ideas and kept us on track" as far as choosing appealing colors and staying focused on the project.

When the cucumbers, pears, squash and gourds were completed, they were beautiful, Carrigan said.

Some were very realistically painted in shades of green and orange and rust. Others were dotted with colorful lumps and sprinkled with flowers.

Lindsay Hutchisson, public relations and development director of Mobile Arc, said Carrigan has been such a joy to have in the art program. "She brings her own sense of purpose to the program and gives the art students something wonderful — her boisterous personality. You can always tell when Holly is here painting because she also brings lots of fun."

The fruit and vegetable project, Hutchisson said, was "such a fun project for everyone; the students made everything from bananas to eggplants."

At the church lunch to start off the circles' Bible study, Brandy Hartley was among the guests, as was Sharon Beasley, director of support services at Mobile Arc. "We all met in the sanctuary and then had a luncheon in the fellowship hall — about 50 women, 10 tables," Carrigan said, "and the women were so impressed with the decorations."

Carrigan feels that somehow divine providence stepped in and gave her an opportunity to work with the men and women of Mobile Arc.

"God gave me the gift of creativity, and it is important to me to share it with others," she said of her work with the clients.

"I got lots of hugs when I went in to work with the clients, and how can you not enjoy a hug?"