Featuring over 30 paintings by local artists, the Mattapoisett Council on Aging’s art show opened on March 24.

Ranging in subject matter from nautical to nature the pieces are the work of six painters in the council’s weekly art class.

Participants say the idea for the event came from former teacher Yuganti Shirodkar, a graduate student at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, who recently relocated to Virginia.

“I liked the idea,” said Mabel Griffith, an artist in the program. “It’s just for fun and to show what we’re doing.”

Executive director for the Council on Aging, Jacqueline Coucci said she hopes the event will “inspire other people to come and participate.”

She said that even members who have a background in painting are still learning.

The art class has met regularly for over four years and Coucci said, “[they’re] growing as painters, as a group, learning from each other.”

“A lot of people paint on their own and aren’t getting perspective,” she said.

In contrast, the group’s camaraderie and social nature encourages them to share techniques and critique each other’s work.

Painting also provides group members with a creative outlet to express themselves, say the artists.

Artist Carolyn Lima said, “It’s peaceful and calming. That’s one of the reasons I paint. It’s like yoga without the body being involved.”

Saturday’s opening gave the public an opportunity to soak up some of the artists’ serenity, she said.

Many of the pieces are available for purchase at $100 or less with artists receiving 70 percent of proceeds and the rest going to support the Council on Aging.