After losing her daughter to suicide two years ago, Kathy Briant is trying to ensure her daughter’s legacy lives on.

As a graduate of the Alberta College of Art and Design and a graphic artist, Shannon was always creating – everything from sketches to acrylics to watercolours.

However, she suffered from mental illness for several years and was always reluctant to share her art.

After Shannon took her own life in 2009, Briant found more than 150 pieces of original art hidden away in storage.

“She never got married, never had kids, didn’t leave anything behind,” said Briant. “Her only legacy is the art, and I’ll do what I can to make sure that people know she was a good artist.”

This week Briant will be hosting The Reluctant Artist – an exhibit featuring about 50 of Shannon’s pieces.

The exhibit will take place March 16-19 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Untitled Art Society Gallery at 319-10 Avenue SW.

The entrance can be found in the alleyway, and a portion of the proceeds will go with the Canadian Mental Health Association.

“I don’t have an artist’s eye but I have a mother’s determination, so hopefully that will get me the distance I need to go.”