Friendship Heart Gallery, 118 N. Water St., Suite 102, Lancaster, will host a First Friday event on April 3 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. to kick off Autism Awareness Month. The featured artist will be Joseph "JJ" Roach of JJ Roach Art.

JJ is a multi-award-winning artist whose work captures how he experiences the world through color, contrast, and emotion. Diagnosed with autism, JJ found his voice through art.

His work has earned major recognition, including awards such as the 2025 Kennedy Center Emerging Young Artist; national first place at the Marblehead MA Art Association 2026 - photography and graphics, with his work "Achromatopsia"; and multiple honors at Art of the State in 2022, 2023, and 2024, including first place.

Attendees at the event can meet JJ in person, watch him create live, and experience his newest artwork up close. His pieces tell a story of resilience, perspective, and finding beauty in being different.

For more information, call 717-951-0563 or email carolroach80@gmail.com.