Artist's portraits in 'Into Light' exhibit remember those lost to drug addiction
An art exhibit in Baltimore tackles an issue many families are dealing with: losing someone to drug addiction.
The hope is that the exhibit, "Into Light," will help them grieve and spark conversation.
Theresa Clower knows a lot about the people in these portraits she drew. The face she knows best is her son, Devin.
"He's my inspiration," Clower said. "My son died here in Baltimore a year and a half ago, Devin. He was 32."
Devin has something in common with the other faces on the wall of the inaugural exhibit.
"These are all people who have died from the opioid epidemic," Clower said.
After her son's death, Clower turned to art to help her cope with grief. Devin's was the first portrait, and then she did more.
"They're made up of people just like you and me. They're all ages -- my youngest is 20, an Eagle Scout," Clower said.
There are 41 portraits at the Gormley Gallery at Notre Dame of Maryland University.
"Every five hours in the country, 41 people die," Clower said.
The exhibit isn't intended to be sad.
"I wanted community, I wanted opportunity for conversation, opportunity to show how these people in this gallery are so missed and loved and had their light side and their dark side, just like all of us," Clower said.
The exhibit is open until Nov. 22, after which time each of the families will take home the framed portraits.
Clower's ultimate goal is to have an exhibition in all 50 states.