Art by Maia Palmer | Artist in Wilmington, DE

INTO LIGHT Project is a project started by Theresa Clower to celebrate the stories and portraits of those who have lost their lives to Substance Abuse Disorder. With INTO LIGHT Project, Theresa aims to "transform the conversation around addiction through the impact of original art and personal narratives." To help with this massive undertaking, she enlists the help of various artists on both the local and national level to create approximately 30 portraits in each state.

I am so thankful that I was one of the artists chosen to participate in the Delaware exhibition. It is one of the most meaningful projects that I have ever worked on. The artists are provided photographs and information about each individual that you draw, and thus each drawing became a quiet meditation on each person's life.

After the exhibition, each family is given the framed original portrait to celebrate their lost loved one.

For me, one of the most powerful moments of working on this project was meeting the family members of the people I had drawn. It was so heartening to see how much these portraits meant to them, and how happy they were to share the stories and lives of their lost loved one.

And that is something that is often overlooked in the conversation about Substance Abuse Disorder - the actual lived life of those with the disorder. The conversation so often becomes solely about the illness, about the substance abuse, about their passing.

But every person that suffers from Substance Abuse Disorder also lives a life full of love, laughter and individual moments of joy. This project is a celebration of the multitude moments and memories that make up a life rather than a grieving of the singular moment of death.

I must also admit that prior to working on this proeject, I had preconceptions surrounding Substance Abuse Disorder - about who suffered from it, what it was, and how it affected people. And working on this project changed the way I view this disorder, because that is what it is. A medical disorder. Not a personal failing, not a character flaw. It is a medical issue that affects many people in many different ways. This project helps bring awareness to this issue and to de-stigmatize Substance Abuse Disorder.

Tolearn more about INTO LIGHT Project, or to participate, please click below.

Click the link in each image to read their personal stories.

INTO LIGHT Project