For an artist, there are many advantages to belonging to a cooperative art gallery. It puts you in touch with a community of artists and guarantees a place to show and promote your work. Since November, Nonda Reed’s membership in …but is it art? gallery in Carytown has provided her with something even more important — support.

When Reed was diagnosed with cancer of her lungs and lymph nodes and had to give up making stained glass because of the risk of an infection from a cut, the gallery’s members rallied around her to donate time and money as she goes through chemotherapy.

On Saturday, April 8, the gallery held a blood drive in Carytown, collecting 22 pints of blood in honor of Reed. Richmond artist Georgia Terry also painted Reed’s newly bald head with whimsical designs to help raise awareness of her cancer. Reed’s newest works, including paintings, drawings and cards, are on display at …but is it art?, 3031 W. Cary St., through April 21. Contributions to the Nonda Reed Fund to help with the cost of her treatments are being accepted at the gallery. Call 278-9112 for details.