Three accomplished Shore-area artists, brought together not only through their art but through the common bond of having their lives affected by cancer, are collaborating on "Deep Waters: Heart/Soul Triad," an exhibit of their work that will open at the Middletown Public Library Art Gallery Dec. 29.

"Being Blessed" by Starlett Belfer A portion of exhibit sales will benefit TheWellness Community, The Diney Goldsmith Center of Eatontown.

The three distinct styles of artists Karen Starrett Belfer, Claire Boren and Arlene Mollow are evident throughout the exhibit, which will run through Jan. 25.An artists' reception open to the public will be held 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 20.

Starrett Belfer, of Ocean Township, an ovarian cancer survivor, works in an expressionistic figurative style with oils and encaustic (wax). Her current series of paintings on paper, "Continuing An Interrupted Life," expresses in a feminist voice her process of finding joy within struggle. Her art reflects blessings and gratification that triumph above life's ambiguities.

"Rip Tide" by Arlene Mollow Boren, of Rumson, whose husband miraculously survived bothAuschwitz and pancreatic cancer, creates large abstract figurative paintings on paper. While the execution may differ, her themes remain constant: human relationships, the existential concept of humankind's ultimate aloneness, and the ravages of war and prejudice.

With these themes at the forefront of her thoughts, she finds her joy in the artistic process rather than the finished product. Her goal is to evoke an emotional and thoughtful response by the viewer.

Mollow, of Ocean Township, a breast cancer survivor, is an expressionist and abstract artist working in oils, mixed media and encaustic. Her current series of oils, "Ocean Diary," was executed from her mind's-eye imagery of the sea. Mollow has always lived in close proximity to the ocean, a source of awe, contemplation, relaxation and solace. These emotions and memories are embedded in her art.

The exhibit is open during most regular library hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

"Heart Throb" by Claire Boren For more information, call the library at (732) 671-3700, ext. 320, or e-mail kligon@mmtpl.org.

The library is located at 55 New Monmouth Road in Middletown, between the Route 35 and Cherry Tree Farm Road/Tindall Road intersection.

Themission of TheWellness Community, 613Hope Road, Eatontown, is to help people affected by cancer enhance their health and well-being through participation in professional programs of emotional support, education and hope. All programs are provided free of charge. For more information, call (732) 578-9200 or visit www.thewellnesscommunity. org/jerseyshore.

"Free Reign" by Starlett Belfer "The Wave" by Arlene Mollow "Imaging Light" by Claire Boren