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Lionell Thomas has played a vital role in the arts for more than 20 years, but not as a painter or photographer. Instead, he nurtures talent and promotes the importance of art in the community.

"My job is to serve as a conduit to help the artists gain support and resources," said Thomas, executive director of the Prince George's Arts Council. "I stay in my lane."

Thomas, who previously worked in a variety of positions for the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, has led the county arts council for about a year. The council's most recent showing, "Diverse Impressions," featured pieces from four local artists to celebrate Black History Month. The council displayed the exhibit in the lobby atrium of the University Town Center, Metro 3, in Hyattsville. The council operates out of an office in the same building.

Walking through the exhibit, Thomas said the council designed the show to highlight the region's diverse arts community. The show included young and old as well as new and inexperienced artists. Further, not all the participants were people of color, Thomas said.

For March, the space will have a new exhibit, "Youth Art Month." Artwork from county students between kindergarten and 12th grade will be on display.

Displaying the exhibit in a busy public venue brings art to everyday people, he said. Visitors to the building were blown away by four large-scale watercolor-on-fabric pieces by Cheverly artist Valerie Watson. Works such as "Gentleman of Dakar" and "Woman in Indigo Batik" reflected people the artist observed during a trip to Africa, Thomas said.

Artist Korbet Moering of Accokeek, who's not quite 30 years old, also made a striking impression with rich pastels. Noting how the artist plays with faces and expressions, Thomas said viewers don't have to be experts to enjoy art. "You like a piece of art because it appeals to you," he said. Upper Marlboro artist Chez La-Mario Jackson featured acrylic- and oil-on-canvas pieces, including "Lady Elegance" and "Juke Joint."

Artist and entrepreneur Alec Simpson of Washington, D.C., used monotype to present a variety of abstract pieces.

County residents consider the arts just as important as public safety or trash removal, Thomas said.

"They realize the arts help young people and give them an outlet," he said.

Thomas said he hopes to make the county a world-class destination for exhibits and show how art provides beauty and profit.

"The arts as a creative industry affect economic development," he said. "After you view a show, you might go out to dinner at a restaurant or support other nearby businesses."

He plans to team up with arts patrons, organizations and others to create the Prince George's County Arts Network, a vocal group of arts advocates. Through PG CAN, "county leaders will hear from the public, not from people on the inside," he said. In addition, Thomas wants to bring the arts to underserved communities while making inroads at the National Harbor and with other county projects.

"We're looking for ways to connect the dots," Thomas said.

Lionell Thomas

How he makes a difference: Thomas heads the Prince George's Arts Council, which

supports the county's arts

community. For details on grants or workshops for artists, go to www.princegeorgesartscouncil.org.