Barnabas 22 opens Oct. 22 and runs through Nov. 20, in the Reif Gallery. The opening reception takes place on Oct. 22 from 5 – 7 p.m., and the public is encouraged to attend to this free event.

“Barnabas 22” is a project that aims to shed light on the statistic from the Veterans Administration that each day 22 veterans are lost to suicide. The project was begun by Corwin in 2018, and the main focus of the project is an art exhibit of 22 chalk pastel portraits of service dogs and emotional support animals. Each dog is an important part of the life of a military veteran and an essential part of their wellbeing. The stories of these veterans and their devoted battle buddies shows the important difference that a service animal can make in preventing suicide and promoting healing.

Mary Myers Corwin has been an Artist in Residence with the City of Grand Rapids Arts and Culture Commission’s residency program in Old Central School since 2016 when she retired from her job of more than 20 years as support staff for the Grand Rapids, MN Police Department.