Mitchell Brager’s “Terrace Heritage Homes” exhibition opened this month at the Terrace Art Gallery.
Mitchell is a 26-year-old artist who is living with autism and who focuses on capturing local scenery in his work. The new exhibit is happening in conjunction with the release of his second colouring book and calendar.
Self-dubbed “Momager” Colleen Brager says that the idea for the heritage homes project came during the COVID-19 lockdown. She explained that because Mitchell had done many commissions of individuals' houses, someone had suggested a collection of the local historical homes.
The Bragers’ were given a book titled “This Old House” which documents the stories of various historical homes around Terrace written by Yvonne Moen and Helen Haselmeyer. Each of Brager’s drawings in the colouring book is accompanied by the write up of the house from "This Old House." The calendar also features a collection of twelve of the completed paintings.
Colleen says her son has always been interested in art, but she said it really took off when he took part in a arts program in Kelowna, where they're originally from. The program gives adults with developmental disabilities the time to get creative. The program manager asked if they could display some of Mitchell's art on the wall, and soon after someone wanted to buy it. After that, Colleen started a Facebook page to showcase Mitchell's work.
Then, when they moved to Terrace in 2014, they decided to get involved with the Terrace Art Gallery. Mitchell’s first exhibit opened in 2019 at the gallery titled, “Northern Homes etc.”, featuring scenes from Stewart, Prince Rupert and Terrace.
Even with this heritage homes project, Colleen says that Mitchell has remained busy with commissions, often doing renditions of homes and pets. However, Mitchell says his favourite things to paint are Disney characters, with his specific favourite being Mickey Mouse.
Selling the paintings by donation, Mitchell also offers caricature portraits by donation every Friday at the gallery until Nov. 3.
The exhibition runs from Oct. 7-Nov. 12.
Listen to the CFNR story with Colleen and Mitchell below: