The walls of Clover Place bear the art of tenants past and present. Paintings and handicrafts given as gifts to staff spill from their offices and lead to a common space from where the works originate.

There, reggae music pumps and tenants gather around a table covered in art supplies, getting crafty.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a little bit of chaos,B次元官网网址� said Shannon McLeod, support worker at the supported housing complex for formerly homeless tenants, many facing mental health or addictions challenges. B次元官网网址淭he space is positive and very encouraging.B次元官网网址�

For two years art programming has been a part of Pacifica HousingB次元官网网址檚 offerings to tenants of their supported care buildings.

While creating and displaying works at Clover Place has given the tenants ownership over their environment, McLeod said, it has also provided an opportunity to welcome the public into that space. A range of personal works created by Pacifica tenants is available to view or purchase during an opening exhibition and month-long show at Island Blue Art Store.

Evan James, a carver and painter representing the more experienced end of that range, finds himself offering artistic guidance to his fellow tenants at the Camas Gardens complex. He has two paintings in the show, including one titled Double Headed Serpent.

B次元官网网址淥n the double-headed serpent thereB次元官网网址檚 a good and bad and a constant battle between them, like whatB次元官网网址檚 going on within me,B次元官网网址� said James, speaking openly of his recovery process. B次元官网网址淭he face is there for guidance and the hand is there for balance. B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 a mythological being, but itB次元官网网址檚 something I feel I have inside me: the good and the bad. Which one outweighs the other is usually the one you feed the most.B次元官网网址�

James has sold works in the past and sees the show as an opportunity to return to the local art scene.

Clover Place tenant David Small has displayed Solace in Recovery, a sketch of a city within a jungle, representative of his focus on Taoism and desire to live life with simplicity.

B次元官网网址淚 find art very therapeutic,B次元官网网址� Small said. B次元官网网址淚t helps you empty the mind. B次元官网网址� The more you can empty the mind and focus on becoming the person youB次元官网网址檙e intending to be, the more you become that person youB次元官网网址檙e intended to be.B次元官网网址�

Small, still harbouring some trepidation, didnB次元官网网址檛 take the decision to show his personal work in public lightly.

B次元官网网址淎t Clover Place, everyone knows each other and what their struggles are and what they need, but opening up to the wider community is putting yourself out there to be vulnerable,B次元官网网址� McLeod said.

The downtown show also provides the opportunity for tenants to see their work in a public space, said Kristy Colpron, spokesperson and event co-ordinator with Pacifica.

B次元官网网址淭hey can go down at any time and be inconspicuous and view their art on the wall,B次元官网网址� Colpron said.

The show exemplifies how Pacifica is striving to connect tenants with the community at large, Colpron added, noting the organizationB次元官网网址檚 desire to partner with community groups for other programming opportunities, such as culinary education.

B次元官网网址淧eople like to get involved and it doesnB次元官网网址檛 always have to be on a donations level,B次元官网网址� she said.

Works from 14 artists, ranging in price from $20 to $400, will be on display throughout the month of May at Island Blue Art Store, 905 Fort St., The opening exhibition runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., May 10. Tickets, available through Colpron at 250-385-2131 or kristyc@pacificahousing.ca, are $10 and support the art program.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a great personal experience,B次元官网网址� said McLeod, an artist herself who creates her own work alongside tenants. B次元官网网址淓veryoneB次元官网网址檚 unique and you want to find a way to connect with people. Art is a great way to do that. Now we have this thing that we share. ItB次元官网网址檚 pretty powerful for me and I hope it is for them, too.B次元官网网址�