Celebrating art that heals and connects
It’s the first anniversary of our Free Little Art Gallery at Meade Avenue! Since installing it on April 30, 2025, our tiny gallery of big feelings has hosted a variety of artwork from clients, neighbors, and Townspeople supporters.
From origami, to relief prints and tiny canvas paintings, to illustrations and stickers, to greeting cards, painted river stones, and little ceramics—many members of our extended community have offered a wide range of artworks made by hand and with love that others have appreciatively taken to brighten their homes.
“There are two pieces that really stick out to me” shared Tracy Wilson, Senior Manager of Operations and Development at Townspeople. Over the past year, Tracy has checked in on the Free Little Art Gallery, to keep it looking fresh, to see what’s been added, and to add art works dropped off at the Townspeople office on El Cajon Boulevard.
“One is a piece of mini pottery made in memory of [late Board Member] Dennis Larkin. I thought it was such a lovely tribute to Dennis done in a way that Dennis would have loved!” shared Tracy. “The second is that someone made a mini bag of Takis, complete with (fake) mini Takis on the inside.”
How It Started: All in the Family
Townspeople’s Free Little Art Gallery was constructed, painted, fabricated, and installed by daughter-and-father team Melissa Peterman, Executive Director of Townspeople, and Mark Peterman.Â
“It was built from love, from San Diegans, for San Diegans,” said Melissa. “I’m so happy with the way the Free Little Art Gallery has been embraced by neighbors of our Meade Avenue residents and supporters of Townspeople. I hope more people will continue to make and take art during our second year and beyond!”
A Lasting Legacy of a Beloved Board Member
Once the Free Little Art Gallery was ready to be announced, we turned to Dennis Larkin, Townspeople Board Member and founder of the nonprofit Art(Out)Reach, to write about the importance of art as a tool for wellness and connection. In what he called “The Tiny Gallery of Big Feelings,” Dennis wrote that this free and welcoming neighborhood art space “reminds us that we all have something to offer—and we all deserve something beautiful in return.”Â
“This gallery may be small, but its impact is anything but,” he added. “It generates joy, connection, and tranquility. It fosters relationships between neighbors who have never spoken before. Moreover, according to neuroscience, it’s doing more than just uplifting spirits—it’s enhancing health.”
Sadly, Dennis passed away in Fall 2025. As someone who once experienced housing insecurity and homelessness, Dennis believed that art could heal, that advocacy could change systems, and that people with lived experience should always be centered in the work. We miss his voice and his humor daily, but we continue to feel his spirit forward in our work, including in every piece of art that is added to the Free Little Art Gallery.
How It’s Going: An Open Invitation
Please join us in celebrating the first anniversary of this tiny but mighty community space by making and sharing one or more works of art to be added to it!
We accept little artworks no larger than 3″ wide x 4″ tall in a variety of mediums. Please drop off artwork(s) during our regular business hours or mail them to Townspeople at 2047 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104.
Supporters are also welcome to donate towards the maintenance of our Free Little Art Gallery!
Times are challenging right now, in San Diego, across the country, and around the world. And yet, it’s during these times especially that art’s ability to help heal and build connection is needed most.Â
“When art is made available for free, out in the open, it becomes a kind of gentle medicine,” Dennis wrote. “And that’s exactly what our Free Little Art Gallery aims to offer.”