Drug Addiction: Real People, Real Stories

media release: The Sauk Prairie River Arts Center will hold an opening reception for the general public for its current exhibition of “Drug Addiction: Real People, Real Stories.” Featuring 30 original graphite portraits and narratives, the exhibition puts human faces and voices at the center of Wisconsin’s ongoing struggle with substance use disorder. The free public exhibition, which opened June 6 and runs through November 21, 2026 includes an Opening   Reception: July 25, 2026  1PM – 3PM.

The River Arts Center is located at  105 9th Street Prairie du Sac.

“Drug Addiction: Real People, Real Stories—Wisconsin” moves beyond statistics and headlines to share the authentic experiences of individuals, families,                                             

 and  communities affected by addiction. Through personal narratives and original portraits of Wisconsinites who have died from substance use disorder, visitors will encounter stories of struggle,  loss, and love that reflect the reality of addiction in Wisconsin. The purpose of the exhibition is to humanize addiction and end the stigma of those suffering from Substance Use Disorder.

Every portrait and narrative in this exhibition has been created with input from families across the state that submitted their loved ones — sharing photographs, memories, and stories with the INTO LIGHT Project https://www.intolightproject.org that engages a national team of professional artists and writers transformed those submissions into original, hand-drawn graphite portraits paired with individually written narratives. This is not a traveling exhibition. It was built from Wisconsin lives, for Wisconsin audiences. At the close of the River Arts exhibition, a reproduction of the series will travel throughout Wisconsin for communities throughout the state to experience. A partnering organization will be identified within Wisconsin to act as a Steward of the traveling series. 

Wisconsin continues to face significant challenges with substance use disorder, ranking among the states most severely impacted by the overdose crisis. This exhibition aims to foster understanding, reduce stigma, and encourage community dialogue about addiction as a public health issue — not a moral failing.

At the close of the exhibition, every original, professionally framed portrait will be gifted to the family of the person depicted.

The exhibition and opening reception are free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Terri Vano at [email protected]