In a room tucked away at the rear of The Annex – the addiction resource centre and outreach program of the Grace Café – is a tiny art gallery/workshop informally known as Annex Art.
The current artist in residence is Gerry Arnold, whose intriguing messages adorn the four walls of the room.
The gallery is a new concept undertaken by Executive Director Mike Toth and the staff.
“In January, Mike came to me and offered me this space,” explained Arnold. “I was recovering from surgery at the time. And he says, even if I just wanted to come in and have a place to paint while I’m recovering.”
He enjoyed art classes when he was in high school in the Barrie area and he spoke to myFM about the therapeutic value of his artistic creations.
In other words, Arnold converses with his creations as though he was seated opposite a counsellor.
In essence, Arnold adds a personal audio component to his art.
This year, he has zeroed in on marginalized individuals in society.
“You know, we marginalize people through so many different things.”
Arnold admits, in some ways, he also feels marginalized.
From high school art classes to becoming a draftsman, Arnold suggests his life has always been about drawings in some form.
