The Belmar Arts Council (BAC) is offering a challenge to visual artists to create art that helps to create homes. The exhibit, “Gimme Shelter,” will benefit the Affordable Housing Alliance and the Belmar Arts Council’s Housing Help Program and raise awareness of the crisis many local residents face in finding safe, affordable housing.

All artwork will be based on a houseshaped wooden panel made of lauan plywood. Panels are now available at the Boatworks, the Belmar Arts Council’s headquarters at 608 River Road in Belmar. The cost of entry to the show is $10 for BAC/ArtsCAP or SICA members and $15 for nonmembers. The panel will serve as the inspiration and starting point for artists, who are invited to use their imagination and their own choice of media to transform this “canvas” into a piece of art that will then be offered for sale. Work will be unveiled and prizes awarded at the March 3 opening from 5-8 p.m. at the Boatworks.

A separate section of the show will feature the work of students between the ages of 5 and 18. Teachers are invited to participate in this project by downloading a template for the house-shaped panel. Teachers can trace the panel onto paper or cardboard and are invited to submit up to five student pieces per class. There is no charge for student entries.

Artwork submissions will be received on Feb. 24 from 5-8 p.m. and on Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Boatworks.

The exhibition will run from March 3- 23 from 1-5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Guests at the March 3 reception will be invited to vote on winners in several categories, and awards will be presented.

Artists should note that all artwork must be original and based on the houseshaped panel available from the BAC. Two pieces per artist may be entered. All work must be for sale. An entry form and complete details can be obtained online at www.belmararts.org. For more information, call 732-749-3360.