It feels like a family gathering, and in a way, Art Etc. has become just that.
Children scamper around the large hall chasing toys and each other. A mother and daughter paint quietly at a table. Friends share a laugh as they crochet at another.
A large plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies sits beside a large cauldron of homemade soup that fills the air with a delicious aroma.
Art Etc takes place each Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the basement of First Baptist Church on Woolwich Street.
It’s a free and welcoming space that lets anyone and everyone engage in art projects, enjoy a good lunch and each other's company.
On a recent Saturday there were over 40 people on hand. Some with physical and non-physical challenges of one kind or another, others just people looking for a few hours of socializing in a relaxing setting environment.
“I feel really privileged to be part of this group. These are good people. These are resilient people,” says Angela Van Arragon, the driving force behind Art Etc.
“Some people just come to eat, and that’s fine. Some people have issues with mental health. Some have precarious housing situations. Some are regular people who just like coming down here and socializing. It’s across the spectrum,” she says.
Art, says Van Arragon, is a great equalizer.
“There’s lots of places in Guelph where you can get something to eat. There’s food banks, there’s drop-in programs, but creativity is something that’s hard to come by, especially if you’re socially isolated,” she says.
The group is not affiliated with any particular organization and receives no funding. It runs on love, goodwill, volunteers and donations.
“This is about community,” says Van Arragon, a self-admitted non-artist.
“People can’t always do art at home. Maybe they live in a small space or maybe it requires materials that they don’t have. Here, there’s something about being social and being creative and having a hot meal that works really well together.”
Van Arragon used to be involved with the art program at 40 Baker. When that closed down she wanted to keep an art program happening so started one in her home once a week.
They approached First Baptist Church about using their basement about a year and a half ago and the church graciously gave them the space for free.
The art happening runs the gamut.
A woman paint her tiny birdhouse while her daughter adds words to a canvas she’s painted. Another carefully colours while a grandmother searches out some glue as she helps a young one craft a furry animal. Two others crochet.
Tobi Hooper usually handles the cooking duties, relying on her knack for making a lot of good food with little to work with.
Other volunteers help the event run smoothly and First Baptist Church has been very gracious in donating their hall once a week.
Anyone interested in helping out with food or supplies donations can contact Art Etc. through its Facebook page.
Tammi Beblow has been coming with her teenage daughter for about a year.
“It gets me out of the house on a Saturday, it lets me talk with people, meet some new people and relax a little bit with some art,” says Beblow.
On this particular day she’s carefully painting a small wooden birdhouse while her daughter adds words to a painted canvas.
“It’s very social,” Beblow says.
Jenn Schneider is busy putting her two-year-old daughter’s hand and footprints on canvas.
“It’s a really great thing they have here,” says Schneider. “People that might not have a lot of places to go can come here and hang out with friends and meet new people.”
Volunteer Pam Mundy calls Van Arragon “the main horse driving the wagon.”
“It would not have been as successful if it wasn’t for her,” Mundy says.
“Some of these people don’t have a lot of connection with other people, so it was important to Angela to keep this going so that some of these folks have somewhere to go and somewhere to connect with others rather than be on their own all the time.”
“It’s an important connection for these people,” Munday says. “We all need community.”
