Sue Potvin spends her weeks in Toronto helping patients diagnosed as terminally ill find a second medical opinion. She spends her weekends in Guelph helping people realize their self-worth at Gallery 150.

"The essence of what the gallery is all about is the empowerment of ourselves and our spirits in such a Barbie doll society" focused on physical appearance, she said.

Potvin sees her subjects being empowered when she takes portrait photos of them and sees others becoming equally empowered by creating their own art.

Often, people she photographs come in with the belief they are fat or ugly, she said. Her photographs, which are transformed into digital artwork by fellow artist Edward Pickersgill, let the models see their own beauty, said Potvin.

She is also a photographer and stained glass artist who started painting six months ago. She spends weekends at the gallery, which was spontaneously formed about two years ago at Fresh Start Housing Centre at 150 Wyndham St.

Art on the premises began as a front window display, but it dominates the office on weekends, explained Potvin in an interview at the gallery.

"What's really awesome about this space is we all work together," she said. "The kids who come to the youth centre Our Place (on weekdays) come in and sit and paint" on weekends.

These young people, as well as friends and people who come to look at the art, often become models for Potvin's portraits. Some are looking to add to their portfolios, while others do it for their own personal reasons, she said. Potvin has photographed people ranging in age from 14 to 65 and has also taken portraits of some couples.

She takes photographs in a makeshift studio at Our Place, which is in the basement of Fresh Start. Then Pickersgill works his magic on the computer.

"Everyone always asks how he does it," said Potvin of Pickersgill's digitized portraits.

All Pickersgill will reveal about his digital works is that they are not done with Photoshop or any other common computer program.

And he can't recreate the same portrait twice, he said.

Digital artists often try, and fail, to figure out his technique, he said with a laugh.

Pickersgill said he started working with computers in the 1970s. Where Photoshop uses certain tools to perform an action, he said he does similar things by hand. This means that while Photoshop might do something in one step, it takes Pickersgill several steps to get a similar effect.

The paintings are printed with ink on acid-free paper, so they have a life span similar to any other piece of art you'd find in a gallery, said Potvin.

For Potvin, a mother of two and grandmother of one, Gallery 150 serves a multitude of purposes.

It's a place where the youth who frequent Our Place and Fresh Start can drop in on weekends to talk and create art. It's a place to meet new people.

While Potvin has met many new people through her art, it also gives her a chance to do some extremely personal work.

One portrait is of her daughter and is called Survivor. "She's a warrior and a survivor," said Potvin.

Potvin has also used her art to help friends in need.

One of those friends, she said, is dying of cancer.

She's one of the models in Potvin's portraits, with one on display at Gallery 150 and another hanging on the wall of her hospital room at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.

"When she's feeling down, when she feels like she is cancer, she looks at that painting and she sees beauty."

Potvin herself has overcome obstacles using art.

"In high school, an art teacher really crushed my artistic passion," she said.

It was only six months ago that she drummed up the courage to pick up a paint brush again. Now, she can barely put it down.

Before, she focused her creativity on photography and stained glass pieces. Now she works in acrylic and watercolours, as well.

Although she said she's still intimidated by a big canvas, she said she's slowly working her way up.

But when speaking about what happens at Gallery 150 on weekends, she takes the focus away from herself and places it squarely on the others who frequent the space.

"My kids always laugh at me when I talked about the magic," she said.

For many who come to the gallery, though, it is magical.

New artist Terri Currie said she's become "addicted" to coming to Gallery 150.

"I love it here. It's a safe place to be where you're not judged," she said.

She's been coming to the gallery for the two years it's been open.

Potvin added that anyone who wants to come in and paint is welcome. The donated supplies are on hand for anyone, she said.

About 15 artists, most of whom who have other jobs, display their work in the space.

When their work sells, they get to keep the entire profit. Anyone is welcome to display their work at Gallery 150, Potvin said.