They are artists — they deal in color and style, but in nothing so mundane as paint. These artists make works a person can wear.

The Inner Banks Artisans’ Center hosts its fourth annual Wearable Art Show and reception Sunday from noon until 6 p.m. The show features the work of eight artists, some with studios at the gallery, others, members who sell their work there, but the fare is colorful, fanciful, handmade and, more important, local, according to Jan Lamoreaux, the show’s creator.

“(The show) exposes people to what people can make by hand: the quality, the craftsmanship and the beauty of ‘Made in America’ by people they know,” Lamoreaux explained. “It sort of kicks off the holiday shopping season — that’s why we chose this time of year.”

The Wearable Art artists have spent the last few months creating and saving up their work to launch specifically at the show. Scarves, jewelry, jackets, wraps and handbags are among this year’s offerings. The beauty of it is that each piece is absolutely unique, Lamoreaux said.

“Certainly with my stuff no two are alike,” she said.

Lamoreaux’s hand-painted silk pieces start out white until she decides what to do with it. It’s all wearable and all hand-washable — she avoids toxic chemicals in their creation and in dry cleaning.

She pointed out that the featured artists often take custom orders — making truly unique pieces for shoppers — and, with their combined work, all price points are represented. While the artists will feature their own work, Sunday’s reception will also feature a raffle of Wearable Art, the work of other artisans’ center artists, as well as other goods. At $2 per ticket, $8 for 5, all proceeds will go to the local domestic violence shelter Ruth’s House.

For Lamoreaux, the show has several purposes: to showcase local work, raise money for a good cause, to kick off holiday shopping, among them, but it also gives people a chance to make a more personal connection.

“People like to meet the artist and ask them ‘How do you do this?’ I think the more people understand how it’s done, what goes in to making a piece, the more appreciative they are about the quality and uniqueness,” Lamoreaux said.

The Inner Banks Artisans’ Center is located at 158 W. Main St., Washington. For more information, call 252-975-2223.