Gabriel Sharp’s mom was sort of surprised, but not monumentally surprised, when Gabriel announced his intention to start a new project.

“He’s always setting up little fundraising stands,” Angie Sharp said. “And we live on a dead-end road. The only customers are mom and dad. And that gets boring for him.”

Five-year-old Gabriel, keying off his parents’ consistent example of community giving, had decided to make art for charity.

With ample working space at the family home and assistants on hand – his 3-year-old sister, Nicaia to help paint, and his mom to prep canvases and wash brushes – the production plan was solid.

He set to work, producing roughly 40 paintings in two months. Now all he needed was gallery space.

As a member of Bainbridge Athletic Club, Angie knew about the facility’s rotating main-floor gallery; she was also aware of its Kids’ Club childcare room and its family-friendly sensibility.

So she approached club owner Kellan Eisenhardt about hanging Gabriel’s work there. Eisenhardt didn’t think twice.

“The moment these pictures went up, the response was immediate and strong,” Eisenhardt said. “And I thought, there’s a story here. It’s too beautiful, and too pure not to share.”

The paintings on view in Gabriel’s “Little Hands Helping Others” show are a steal at $15 and $25 each, with all proceeds going to One Call for All. After discussing possible recipients, Gabriel and his folks decided on One Call because of the breadth of local organizations it services.

When asked if he’d mind giving a tour of his show, it took Gabriel a minute or two to warm up.

But then he was off, bouncing from one end of the display space to the other while explaining his technique and subject matter.

This one, he said, pointing to a rainbow, is a half of that other rainbow. A blue painting was made with the help of carbon paper to guide his outline of the figures.

Another one needed a circle, but rather than paint one, he decided to scratch it into place. That one he likes because it feels bumpy.

“I got a little crazy there,” he said, pointing to one swirly gray image.

As befits a 5-year-old, Gabriel has no use for art-speak. A question about whether he’d ever heard the term “abstract” was met with a look that said, “Well, that’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Angie said they’ve stopped in several times since hanging the show, to check on sales and straighten the paintings.

Gabriel makes careful rounds each time, checking the number of “sold” dots. Aafter just a week, he’s raised $380. So maybe there’s gallery ownership in his future, as well.

“I’d like (people) to try to buy them, because I want to try to raise more money,” he said.