Exhibition Prospectus:
Drug Addiction: Real People,
Real Stories Exhibition

Art for Social Change

Resources

The INTO LIGHT Project, a national non-profit, creates public exhibitions of original portraits and individual stories of people who have died from the disease of drug addiction in locations around the country. Our mission is to change the conversation about drug addiction through the power of original art and story.

We recognize the powerful influence of museums, galleries, art centers, and community-rooted cultural spaces to promote social innovation and seek partners that help bring these stories into communities in meaningful and transformative ways through art.

The INTO LIGHT Project will work with partner institutions in each state based on their ability to engage the community by building thoughtful educational programming around the exhibit that address issues related to the disease of addiction and encourage dialogue, reflection, and understanding.

Each Drug Addiction: Real People, Real Stories exhibition consists of up to 30 original graphite portraits of people who have died from drug addiction in the state where the exhibit is held. Each portrait is accompanied by a professionally written narrative about the lives of the individuals in the exhibit. The INTO LIGHT Project works with local support groups, counties, municipalities, and other stakeholders to identify individuals for the exhibition. The original, professionally framed portrait of each of the individuals in the exhibit is gifted to the family of the deceased at the end of the exhibition.

The importance of the Drug Addiction: Real People, Real Stories, exhibit cannot be overstated. In recent years, the United States has continued to experience record levels of drug overdose deaths, with more than 110,000 lives lost annually at the peak of the crisis. While there are early signs of stabilization in some areas, the scale of loss remains devastating.

The staggering loss of life is rooted in misinformation, health inequities, and the marginalization of those with substance use disorders (SUD) and extends to their families. It is critical to change public perception around this brain disorder by dispelling deeply entrenched stereotypes, changing stigmatizing language, and stimulating open, informed discussion. 

Research has shown that cultural institutions – including museums, galleries and community-based art spaces – as trusted sources of information are uniquely positioned to help shift understanding, reduce stigma, and foster meaningful dialogue. 

In her foreword for the Drug Addiction: Real People, Real Stories Catalog, Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health wrote:

“Science and art are not often thought of together in tandem, but the intersection of neuroscience to understand how the brain changes due to substance use and addiction and art to remind us of our shared humanity provides a powerful way to help alleviate deep-rooted stigma and inaccurate perceptions. While scientific evidence can build a case with evidence and data, the emotional connection experienced through art can be an even stronger argument for changed perceptions on addiction and overdose.”
Dr. Nora Volkow
Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health

Artists

A select group of artists throughout the country, identified for their ability to draw graphite portraiture in a classical style, help to carry out the work of the INTO LIGHT Project.

Artists from the state where the exhibits are held are our first priority.

Meet the Artists
Theresa Clower, Founder and Primary Artist
Theresa Clower, Founder and Primary Artist

Specifications / Size

The exhibition includes up to 30 framed portraits, each 14″ by 17,” narratives, and several informational panels. It requires, at minimum, approximately 100 running feet. The exhibition may be sized to fit your gallery specifications.

Specifications for INTO LIGHT Project

Sample Drawings and Narratives

Each Drug Addiction: Real People, Real Stories exhibition is unique because it is based on submissions from individuals in the state where the exhibition is held. Sample drawings and narratives from previous exhibitions are below.

Tyler Ian Abbitt

Tyler Ian Abbitt

Beach Lover, pizza, family Tyler was extremely loving and kind. He loved animals and enjoyed doing things to help his family. As a child Tyler, his parents, and his older brother Travis all had fun times together. After baseball games, their dad, George, would pile them in the back of his pickup truck and take them for ice cream. In summers, they went to amusement parks, Atlanta Braves games, and to a lot of church-sponsored activities. The extended family gathered for birthdays and holidays, and the boys never passed up an opportunity to go to their grandparents’ house. Tyler’s mom, Peggy, said, “I must remind myself that as difficult as it was at times, my kids had a good upbringing and a good life. They had two parents at home who loved them, and wonderful grandparents, friends, cousins, and church members. It makes you wonder why things go bad.”
Read Bio
Jason Abney

Jason Abney

Loving, carefree, fun, athletic, smart Described by his mother, Brandy, as an easy, fun, and energetic kid and her “little sidekick,” Jason was creative and enthusiastic about life. He ran track and played football and basketball, but his favorite sport was baseball. Jason’s dad, Greg, was his baseball coach. Jason’s sister, Mea, joked that she grew up at Belpassi baseball field.
Read Bio
Steven Bettencourt

Steven Bettencourt

Brave, charismatic, super-smart, bossy, loyal With long, lion-like hair, a 5’11” frame, and an authentic, charismatic personality, Stevie energized any room he entered. People were drawn to him. His “uniform” of choice was a long black tee and Levi’s, accentuated by various shoes from his extensive collection. At home, he would relax in his basketball shorts and binge-watch television series with his mother, Stephanie, and sister Kalli.
Read Bio

Contents

  • Up to 30 professionally framed portraits of individuals from the state, who have died from overdose or drug poisoning. The portraits are gifted to the families at the end of the exhibit.
  • Gallery Statement, Custom information panels
  • Installation instructions
  • Press packet with high-resolution images and logos
  • Educational objectives, facilitators guide
  • “Ask Me About” Button campaign, with buttons for each individual in the exhibition

Note: INTO LIGHT will work in an advisory capacity throughout the exhibit on programming or other needs

Venues

  • Venue to provide/produce

    • Educational activities
    • Wall labels for Narratives, Artist Bios, Gallery Statements
    • Curation/installation
    • Marketing materials, social media content
    • Opening reception, location with capacity for 200, AV equipment, and tech support
    • Willingness to act as fiscal agent and provide grant writing support if necessary
    • Willingness to participate in media interviews
    • Willingness to participate in data collection

    • Surveys
    • Record keeping of groups utilizing exhibit for educational purposes
    • Record keeping of the number of people attending the exhibit

  • Length of Exhibit

    Agreed upon length of exhibit time, not less than six weeks – up to one year. (Negotiable)

  • Fee

    There is a nominal contribution and/or in-kind services requested by the host venue. The Drug Addiction: Real People, Real Stories exhibition is mostly funded by individual donations, county governments, and foundational grant support.

  • Availability

    • Booking for 2027 and beyond – one original exhibit per state. In addition, our Continuing the Conversation exhibitions travel throughout the state, expanding access and deepening community engagement. Learn more here: https://intolightproject.org/the-into-light-project/continuing-the-conversation/
    • Exhibits have been held, or are in development in the following states: MD, NC, OH, PA, VA, FL, CA, DE, CO, AL, MA, OK, IA, UT, TX, NH, CT, SC, VT, WI, GA, ME, OR
    • This is a long range project, ending with a National Multimedia Exhibit with over 2000 portraits by 2030.

Opening Reception, Gromley Gallery, Notre Dame of Maryland University Baltimore, MD
Opening Reception, Gromley Gallery, Notre Dame of Maryland University Baltimore, MD

Past / Upcoming Venues

Year Venue
2019
Maryland – Gromley Gallery, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Baltimore, MD. Oct. 28 – Nov. 19, 2019
2020
North Carolina – Mission Gallery, AB Tech, Asheville, NC. Oct. 19- Nov. 20, 2020
2021
Ohio – Malone University, Canton, OH. Jan. 4 – Feb. 12, 2021
Pennsylvania – Ware Center Gallery, Millersville University, Lancaster, PA. Mar. 4 – Mar 28, 2021
Virginia – Daura Museum of Art, University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, VA Oct. 5 – Nov. 12, 2021
2022
Florida – Orange County Regional History Center, Orlando, FL Mar. 5-April 15, 2022
2023
California – Museum of Anthropology, California State University, San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA September. 9, 2022-June 9, 2023
Delaware – Delaware Museum of Art, Wilmington, Delaware June 1, 2023-December 3, 2023
Colorado – University of Denver, Denver, Colorado August 31, 2023 – November 18, 2023
2024
Alabama -University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL. July 8, 2024-June 27, 2025
Massachusetts – Wheaton College, Norton, MA – August 27, 2024-November 8, 2024
Oklahoma Center for Humanities, Tulsa, OK October 4-2024-December 21, 2024
2025
Iowa – Pentacrest Museums, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA Jan 22, 2025 – Dec 19, 2025
Utah – Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art, Utah State University Logan, UT Aug 20, 2025 – Nov 29, 2025
New Hampshire – Silver Center for the Arts Plymouth State University Plymouth, NH Aug 25, 2025 – Nov 29, 2025
Texas – School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX September 22, 2025 – May 23, 2026
2026
Hawaii – Kauai Performing Arts Center, Kauai Community College, Lihue, HI February 1, 2026 – March 31, 2026
Wisconsin – River Arts, Inc, Prairie du Sac, WI June 6, 2026 – TBD
Vermont – Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Brattleboro, VT July 11, 2026 – November 1, 2026
Georgia – Carrollton Center for the Arts, Roush Family Gallery, Carrollton, GA November 5 – December 14, 2026
2027
South Dakota – South Dakota Art Museum, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD February 1, 2027 – TBD
Illinois – Spurlock Museum, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL February 9, 2027 – June 30, 2027
Preparing for Gifting Gathering, Ware Center Atrium, Millersville, University, Lancaster, PA
Preparing for Gifting Gathering, Ware Center Atrium, Millersville, University, Lancaster, PA

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Support The INTO LIGHT Project

"Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity."

- Pema Chödrön

Donations support the work of The INTO LIGHT Project to produce our exhibit, Drug Addiction: Real People, Real Stories. We bring awareness to substance use disorder (SUD) as a brain disease, help to change the conversation about drug addiction, and work to erase the stigma and shame associated with it.

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About INTO LIGHT Project

Into Light Inc. is a registered 501(C)(3) Organization. EIN# 84-2480644
Corporate Address: 115 Churchman Lane,
Rising Sun, MD 21911
Mailing Address: PO Box 891,
Black Mountain, NC 28711
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