Local artist Michael Reed is hoping to get people to fit art into their lives. And he’s hoping to do so with the new show he’s putting on, Art Fits!

“It’s about people realizing there is room in their life for creative expression,” Reed says.

Art Fits! will be held on July 27 at Junctionview Studios in Grandview and will feature a variety of artists that “runs the gamut.”

“We have people who range from outsider artists to people who have (college degrees) in art to people who have academic backgrounds in other areas,” Reed says. As far as types of art presented, there will be quite a variety as well including painting, sculptures, mixed media and installation.

Reed used his connections with other artists, along with the Web site Craig’s List, to recruit artists for the exhibition – but getting people to fit in this show was no easy task.

“Trying to get people together has been a challenge for a lot of different reasons,” Reed says. “Some people are really enthusiastic about it and needed an opportunity to show their work, but other people don’t know how to work in the art scene or have never shown their work before. It opens them up to comments and judgments, and it’s not always an easy thing to do,” he says.

Reed adds he’s doing this to “create something inspiring for other people in my own community, not just myself. I hope to contribute to a local environment that supports artists on all levels. I want people who want to create, who have something to say and feel like they’re supported in the art community for creating that voice.”

The show starts at 6 p.m. and food and drinks will be provided. Any donations will be accepted at the door, but they are not required.

“This is about showing people art really does fit in their life and giving them permission to make room in their life for art,” Reed says.

For more information, visit www.artfits.org.