For as long as she can remember, Lancaster artist Kathleen Abel has been moved by the beauty and wonder of the universe.

Earlier this year, the universe moved for her and opened up an opportunity to expose her art to a new group of people.

"When I was younger, I was always fascinated by outer space," says Abel, 57. "There are so many fun aspects of a large universe to ponder."

This was especially true for her as a young woman living in the 1960s, when she daydreamed about the moon landing, Sputnik and the beginning of a new astrological age, The Age of Aquarius.

In 2007, Abel had been tossing around artistic ideas to create an exhibition based on another space-inspired creation, composer Gustav Holst's orchestral work "The Planets Suite."

"The music has always been some of my favorite," Abel says.

In January, the artist learned that the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra was going to perform Holst's concert. She felt a sense of urgency to bring the sketch designs she had been working on to life.

She contacted symphony representatives, and they agreed to showcase her 14 Holst-inspired artworks during last month's concert.

The art involves layering paper together, like a sandwich. Sometimes she stacks the paper in a way that creates depth, and sometimes she uses an X-acto knife. Some of the finished pieces can end up being nearly 1½ inches deep.

Sometimes Abel adds other, non-paper objects into her work.

"It's not something I always prefer to do," Abel says. "But I step back and let the art dictate what it needs, and somehow it all works out in the end."

Abel's efforts drew a positive response during the November symphony.

"Some of the pieces sold as a result of the exposure from the concert," Abel says. "The pieces I have left will be on display in my studio on Friday."

Abel will donate a portion of her planetary artwork's proceeds to the symphony. There are currently 12 pieces still for sale.

"This experience has been fun for me, and it benefits something I care about," Abel says. "The artwork is fun, and I hope everyone enjoys seeing it."

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Artist Abigail Burnette-Peak has sometimes been accused of making a mockery of tradition.

But she says her art is an expression of her life.

"There was a time when I didn't value myself very much," says Burnette-Peak, 24. "And as a result, I found myself on a path of abuse and self-destruction."

As a student earning a degree in German-Spanish business in South Carolina, Burnette-Peak says she earned money as an art-school model. In time, she began auditing classes, which meant she was receiving art lessons but not earning course credits.

At the time, she says she was dealing with a lot of personal issues. At one point, she says she saw her future mired in drugs and perhaps earning a living as a prostitute.

Instead, art became an outlet for Burnette-Peak's feelings and frustrations.

One of the more provocative artworks she will display during this month's First Friday event is a ceramic cookie jar, the handle of which is in the form of a naked woman. The front of the jar is inscribed with the words "Hookers n' Blow."

"I hid my drug money in a coffee can in the freezer," says Burnette-Peak, of Lancaster. "A cookie jar would have worked, too."

The artist has also taken the traditionally cheery form of cross-stitch and infused her dark perspectives by beautifully sewing words like "whore."

Her work draws a lot of condemnation from people who think it glorifies the abuse of women. Burnette-Peak says even her mother is not a fan. But she says there are certain things she just has to get off her chest.

"(My art) is about that feeling you get when you are alone in the dark, and you just have to laugh at all of the horrible things that shape you," she says. "Or else they will seep into everything you touch and make them ugly, too."

Currently, Burnette-Peak describes herself as barely getting by. But she knows there are other women struggling as she does with their past and financial present. She earns most of her living as a stylist at the Sambalin Hair and Nail Studio, where her art will be on display.

Working with various agencies that assist abused women, Burnette-Peak often offers her styling services for free, to help victims rebuild their self-esteem and get back on their feet.

"Hairstyling is another form of art for me," she says. "And in helping other women, I help myself continue to feel better."