The pieces are the result of OpArt, a collaboration between Opportunity Works and the art association. It is designed to encourage and train adults with disabilities to develop and further their creative abilities by providing increased opportunities to experiment with different media, techniques and materials.

The program is run by art association volunteers Monica Welch, Richard Johnson and Alex Richards, and supported by the Newburyport Five Cents Savings Charitable Foundation.

This is the group's first show of 2008. It runs through Feb. 6 in the art association's Laura Coombs Hills Gallery. The OpArt participants will also be exhibiting their work in other Newburyport venues throughout the year. All artwork, which is professionally framed, is for sale, with the majority of proceeds going directly to the artist and the balance reinvested in the program.

For more on OpArt or the exhibit, call the art association at 978-465-8769 or visit www.newburyportart.org.

Super Bowl Sunday Spectacular at sports park

Don't have tickets to the Super Bowl? Amesbury Sports Park is promising plenty of excitement for its second annual Super Bowl Sunday Spectacular.

Co-sponsored by the Amesbury Chamber of Commerce, the event doubles as a benefit for the McKeon family of Amesbury. Half of the day's proceeds will be donated to the family to help defray the cost of medical bills as Jeff McKeon battles cancer.

There will be a football toss contest with a Mercedes Benz up for grabs, flag football games, a chance to win $25,00 for those who guess the half-time and final scores, raffles for Boston Celtics tickets, ski passes and more. Six Red Sox tickets will be auctioned, and other promotional giveaways are planned.

The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism benefited from last year's event, when 25 percent of the proceeds, or $3,000 was donated to the organization.

Doors at the sports park at 12 S. Hunt Road open at 2 p.m. A $10 cover includes free pub fare and discounted drinks. For more, call 978-388-5788.

A baroque afternoon with North Shore's Tres

The North Shore baroque ensemble Tres takes listeners into the London theaters, parlors and concert halls of the period for a performance on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist, 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport.

The voice and period instrument ensemble features soprano Jayne West and baritone Donald Wilkinson, accompanied by Lisa Brooke on baroque violin, Daniel Rowe on baroque cello and John Finney on harpsichord.

The concert is part of the church's Jean C. Wilson series, which celebrates the life and influence of the late musician. Tickets are $15, $10 for seniors and students. For more, call or visit www.ensembletres.com.

'Sizzle' into February at Amesbury Playhouse

"Sizzle," a montage of Broadway's hottest musical numbers, hits Amesbury Playhouse Dinner Theater tomorrow night for a two-week stay.

The show runs through Feb. 17. A special Valentine's performance is planned for Thursday, Feb. 14. Reservations are required. For show times and prices, call Amesbury Playhouse at 978-388-9444 or visit www.amesburyplayhouse.com.

Seeing 'Red' at Newburyport's Bridge Gallery

Newburyport's Bridge Gallery celebrates February's favorite color when it opens its new show, "Red," today at its 113 Merrimac St. venue. The show spotlights paintings featuring a preponderance of red hues by the cooperative's local and regional artists.

Newburyport painter and illustrator Susan Spellman is the cooperative's featured artist for February. Spellman, who has illustrated more than 25 books and numerous publications, is also a member of the Newburyport Art Association and the Women in the Wild plein air group. Interested in the human form, Spellman is showing pieces from her dancer series and portraits of local characters as well as her plein air oil works. An artist's reception takes place Friday, Feb. 15, from 5 to 8 p.m.

In honor of the season, Bridge Gallery is displaying "Illustrated Love Letters" by illustrator Clayton Rawson, a graduate of the Chicago Art Institute and father of cooperative member Joanna Hammond. A fine art trunk show will also continue throughout the month at the gallery.

In addition, Bridge Gallery is launching a new series that will feature an art talk or activity the second Sunday of the month from 2 to 4 p.m. The series kicks off Feb. 10 with a conversation led by Hammond titled "Looking at Pictures."

Three new artists have joined the collaborative: Andrea Holland Hart of North Andover, a prize-winning artist known for her pastel portraits and oil paintings who teaches in all media, including forensic portraiture; Michael Doran of North Andover, a former architect who became a prize-winning watercolor painter upon retirement; and Kim Henry of Groton, an environmental consultant and geologist as well as a painter.

Winter hours at Bridge Gallery are Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Local girl playing 'Hide and Seek' in Reading

Twelve-year-old Rebecca Stevens, daughter of Lauri and Glen Stevens of Newbury, takes the stage this weekend in a production of "Hide and Seek" with the Quannapowitt Players in Reading.

A seventh-grader at Triton Regional Middle School in Byfield, Rebecca has been acting for six years. She plays the dual role of Jill/Jacky in the play by Lesley Harvard that is described by director Mark Baumhardt as "The Shining" meets "The Bad Seed."

"Hide and Seek" opens tomorrow and runs through Feb. 16. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $18, $16 for students and seniors. For more, call 781-942-2212 or visit www.qptheater.com.

Gulls, eagles and harbor seals with Joppa Flats

Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport explores the world of gulls, bald eagles and harbor seals in a variety of programs this weekend. Here is what's planned:

* 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly:' A look at the wide variety of gulls in the region on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The cost is $40 for Mass Audubon members, and $50 for nonmembers.

* In Search of Bald Eagles: Join naturalist Debra LaRoy and search the areas around the open water of the lower Merrimack River for wintering bald eagles on Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $15 for Audubon members and $18 for nonmembers.

* Family Adventure: Harbor Seals: Learn about and observe harbor seals that winter in the Merrimack River estuary on Sunday from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The program is designed for families with children ages 8 and up. The cost for adults is $10 for Audubon members and $14 for nonmembers, and for children is $6 for members and $7 for nonmembers.

All programs start from the Joppa Flats Center on 1 Plum Island Turnpike. Advance registration is required. For more, call 978-462-9998 or visit www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats.

'Rabbit-Proof Fence' screening at Yoga Center

The Yoga Center of Newburyport continues its spiritual film series Saturday with a screening of "Rabbit Proof Fence" at 7 p.m. at the center, 12 Maple St., Newburyport.

The film explores Australia's aboriginal integration program of the 1930s, which broke countless hearts, including those of three young girls who were torn from their families and placed in an abusive orphanage. Without food or water, the girls resolve to make the 1,500-mile trek home. Meanwhile, a well-intentioned tracker is trying to return the girls to the authorities.

A $5 donation is suggested. For more, call 978-463-4354 or visit www.newburyportyoga.com.

Blues and country open mike at Amesbury's Barn

Channel your favorite blues or country performer at an open mike tonight at 8 at The Barn at 5 Ring St. in downtown Amesbury. A house band will back up the performers.

The monthly event is hosted by Amesbury's Imagine Studios. For more, call 978-834-0367 or e-mail kristine@imaginestudios.org.

Load up on breakfast before the Super Bowl

The Newburyport Women of the Moose are cooking up a pre-Super Bowl breakfast on Sunday from 8 to 11 a.m. in the Horton Terrace Community Building, 1 Golden Drive, Newburyport.

Scrambled eggs, pancakes, French toast, home fries, bacon and sausage are on the menu. Admission is $6.

Auditions for 'Technicolor Dreamcoat'

Auditions for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" are planned for Saturday at 1 p.m. and Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Byfield Community Arts Center, 7 Central St., Byfield.

Actors, singers and dancers of all ages are needed for the production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, which will be presented by TTS Arts and Entertainment at the Byfield arts center. The show is produced by Michael Fay, with stage direction by Danielle Shylit, music by Margo Nothnagel and technical direction by Chris Paglia. For more, call 978-360-3975.

Pair of guests for Lighthouse Trio

The Lighthouse Trio pairs with Zach Field and Paul Field when it returns to Hobo's Cafe at Salisbury Beach on Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m.

The trio will be accompanied by blues drummer Field in performing the music of the '30s, '40s and '50s. The half-time show at 8 p.m. will feature guitarist Wayne, a popular entertainer on the Seacoast for years

The Lighthouse Trio performs at Hobo's, 5 Broadway, on the first Wednesday of the month. For more, call 978-465-4626.

Jazz vespers service at First Religious Society

A lineup of area musicians join Wednesday, Feb. 6, for the monthly jazz vespers service in the sanctuary at First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist, 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport.

The service will feature music by Edson Worden, Lark Madden & Company. Local guitarist John Curtis will be the guest artist. Selections will include Black Orpheus and Stella by Starlight. There will also be readings by Cyd Rashke.

For more, call 978-465-0602.

'Trends in Book Collecting' at Amesbury library

John Segal, owner of the bookstore "A Thousand Words - Fine Old Books and Prints" will discuss "Trends in Book Collecting Past and Present" on Thursday, Feb. 7, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Amesbury Public Library, 149 Main St.

After the talk, Segal will appraise old books. Admission is free. There is a limit of one appraisal per person.

The event is being hosted by the Friends of the Amesbury Public Library. For more, call 978-388-8148, ext, 5

Sip, Savor & Swing with the feline rescue society

The Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society's annual Sip, Savor & Swing fundraising bash is set for Friday, Feb. 8, from 7 to 11 p.m. at Nicholson Hall, 9 Harris St., Newburyport.

Formerly known as the Valentine's Fine Wine and Chocolate Tasting, the evening will feature a wine, beer and chocolate tasting, dancing, music from the Thomas Machine Works Band, hors d'oeuvres and raffles.

Proceeds will benefit feral and domestic cats and kittens and help fund the rescue society's free and low-cost programs and services.

Tickets are $50. For more, call 978-462-0760 or visit www.mrfrs.org.

Firehouse Center awaiting sweet nothings

There's still time to send in your valentines for the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport's annual Valentine exhibition.

The annual show, which opens Feb. 13 and runs through March 2, features valentines sent in from near and far. Submissions may be of any medium and size, but the stipulation is that they arrive by U.S. mail. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday. The artwork cannot be returned,

Mail valentines to the Firehouse Center For The Arts, Market Square, Newburyport 01950. For more, call 978-499-9931.

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To submit a Lookout item, e-mail it to svartabedian@newburyportnews.com, fax it to 978-465-8505, or mail it to The Daily News, 23 Liberty St., Newburyport, MA 01950.