Kids from Newton’s United Methodist Youthville campus, are the featured artists in the Hesston College Friesen Center gallery. The works of art are from “The Monster In Me” project through Youthville’s Expressive Arts Center, directed by Micala Gingrich-Gaylord, and will be displayed through Feb. 18.

“The Monster In Me” project gave kids at Newton’s Youthville campus an outlet to process personal experiences – both of things that have happened to them or they have done – and find ways to grow beyond them. Each unique monster picture is a testament to pain and frustration and is a tangible example of the power of art as a tool for healing and overcoming abuse, violence and trauma.

The pictures drawn and painted by artists ranging from 7 to 18 years old, were collected over the last five years. Although the Newton Youthville campus has downsized the number of children served, the Expressive Arts Center will continue to help at-risk kids in the community and local area find ways to express themselves.

Youthville is a child-welfare agency that specializes in foster care, adoption, counseling and therapy for Kansas children suffering from abuse, neglect, abandonment and trauma.

The gallery is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.