Art and Music Unite to Spark Mental Health Conversations in Barrie

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 28, 2026

Barrie, Ontario — Mental health continues to be a critical issue requiring awareness, compassion, and community action. Spare Room, StART Making Sense, and the Canadian Mental Health Association Simcoe County Branch (CMHA SCB) have partnered to present TWOgether, a collaborative exhibition and a limited-edition catalog/vinyl release designed to raise both awareness and funds during Mental Health Awareness Month.

TWOgether brings together twenty artists—ten established and ten emerging—paired to create original works inspired by mental health. The exhibition offers a powerful and diverse collection that encourages reflection and opens dialogue around a topic that is often difficult to discuss.

Running May 1–31 at the Spare Room gallery (12 Lakeshore Mews), the exhibition will be accompanied by a special catalog and vinyl release, launching Friday, May 22 6:00 P.M. -8:00 P.M. with a live performance by Dan Allen. Limited-edition catalogs are available for $50, with proceeds supporting CMHA SCB. Each catalog includes a 45 RPM vinyl record featuring original music by Dan Allen, extending the exhibition experience through sound, and is signed by all 20 participating artists.

Additional events include an interactive zine-making session on May 1 and a StART Making Sense panel discussion on May 21, “Taking a Break,” exploring the intersection of art, business, and well-being.

“Mental health has played a significant role in both my personal life and the art world as a whole. This exhibition means a great deal to me and to the broader arts community. Partnering with CMHA SCB highlights the importance of this work and its impact on our community.”
— Sean-William Dawson, Artist/Co-curator

“Creating art is often very solitary and can feed loneliness and depression. As artists, the founders of Spare Room felt the need for community and decided to create it. We are not alone, even when it feels that way. Through this exhibition we hope to start conversations and create connections on the subject of mental health, as well as raising money to support a great organization that works to make us all feel less alone in our struggles.”

— Katie Green, Artist/Spare Room Founder

“Art and music offer meaningful ways for people to express what can be hard to put into words. They create space for connection, reflection, and understanding—especially when it comes to mental health. TWOgether shows how creativity can bring people together, open conversations, and remind us that no one is alone in what they’re experiencing.”

— Liz Grummett, Manager of Fundraising, Communications and Community Engagement, CMHA SCB

About CMHA SCB

CMHA SCB is a leading community-based organization supporting individuals and families experiencing mental health and addiction challenges. Through a range of programs and services—including social, educational, vocational, and specialized supports—CMHA SCB empowers people to make informed choices and build resilience.

About Spare Room

Spare Room is a shared artist studio space and creative community hub. Their mission is to create a safe and inclusive space for artists to grow. Their exhibition space is dedicated to contemporary art and creative collaboration. Spare Room supports both emerging and established artists while fostering meaningful cultural engagement within the community.

Media Contact

Liz Grummett
Manager of Fundraising, Communications and Community Engagement
CMHA SCB
lgrummett@cmhastarttalking.ca