MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – Lining the walls of South’s Student Center — are faces of lives lost to drug addiction.
“Some have lived this — others will live this,” said Jo Bonner, University of South Alabama President.
On hand Thursday night — founder of the non-profit “Into Light Project” — Theresa Clower.
“I’m deeply honored to share this evening with all of you,” Clower told the crowd.
She’s lived this journey. Her son Devin Bearden — struggled with drug addiction for ten years before losing his battle in 2018 at the age of 32.
“So, I began his portrait… And it was the first portrait I had ever done in my life. I chose black and white because we are all made up of that… And no one should be defined by their darkest moments. So, I consider this a gift from Devin,” explained Theresa.
Theresa kept drawing — and has personally sketched more than 300 portraits. Her team has collectively finished more than 600 — accompanied by narratives — that tell each of their stories. Alabama now becomes the 12th state with its own “Into Light” exhibit.
“Devin… Oh my goodness — he’s all over the country now. He’s enjoying that — because he’s in every exhibit. He really guides me — believe it or not — I can feel his energy. He had a very vivacious personality — a very outgoing personality,” said Theresa.
Among the faces featured is 33-year-old Harrison Myles.
“Oh… It’s breathtaking — I mean when I saw it — it just took my breath away. They have every inch of him — his dimples, his eyes… everything,” said Harrison’s mother Lori Myles — as she looks up at his portrait.
Since overdosing in 2022 — Lori has been spreading awareness, prevention, and education — by sharing Harrison’s story. She’s honored he’s included in the exhibit.
“There were peaks and valleys — he did well — he would relapse. But that is the power of addiction. When you lose someone — when you can tell your story — perhaps that will help someone else — and that’s my goal. And this is not a doom and gloom. There are many people that get well and do better and move on and we want to share that too,” said Lori. “Harrison would be proud. When I posted it to social media — his friends posted — commenting and said Harrison would be so proud — so I knew. It’s something I have to do.”
The battle to combat drug addiction in the State of Alabama is both professional and personal for Attorney General Steve Marshall, who also addressed the group at Thursday night’s open reception. His late wife Bridgette committed suicide in 2018 after a long struggle with opioids.
“To share that story — maybe feels like you’re revealing a family secret. But I think what I’ve learned is that being able to talk transparently about those issues positively impacts others. So to the extent that it’s something that helps — it’s a decision as a family that we’ve made — but it’s never easy,” said Marshall.
Alabama’s exhibit has 41 faces. The ultimate goal — an exhibition in every state — bringing the entire country “Into Light.”
“At the end of all this — as soon as we do that — we will have an exhibit in D.C. of over 2,000 portraits that really documents this and shows the human side of this epidemic. So, there’s a lot of work ahead of us — but we’re doing it,” said Theresa.
The “Into Light” Project Alabama Exhibit — runs through June 27, 2025. It’s locate in the USA Student Center, Second Floor Lobby. Admission is Free.
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Publish date : 2024-08-29 18:39:00
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