THE CO. ARTIST IN RESIDENCY: Michael Pickard

The CO. is a studio for creativity and mental health in Chatham, Ontario. It offers two residencies per year for new to mid career artists who have a lived experience with mental health.

Michael Pickard is the current artist in residence for 2022. Pickard is a visionary artist from Chatham-Kent, Ontario. He was awarded the first artist in residence at The Co. in Chatham. After going through a long battle with depression, Michael was able to heal and pick up a paint brush to create again. His paintings range from abstract, black & white, to spiritual and visionary works. At the core he believes that we all have the capacity to heal and transform ourselves after walking through the darkness. He hopes his works may reflect that and even give healing and comfort to those who still walk there