Vermont Stories, Told by Vermonters

This summer, Vermonters have the opportunity to encounter the stories behind the overdose crisis in a powerful and deeply human way. The INTO LIGHT Project, a nationally recognized mental health and addiction awareness initiative, is coming to Vermont — and VAMHAR is honored to lead the Vermont chapter, helping bring this important work to communities across our state.

Founded on the belief that art can be a catalyst for healing, understanding, and social change, the INTO LIGHT Project works closely with families and professional artists to create graphite portraits that capture the humanity of loved ones lost to addiction. Families from across Vermont shared photographs, memories, and stories of their loved ones. Those stories were then transformed by professional artists and writers into deeply personal portraits and narratives that capture the fullness of a life, not simply the circumstances of a death.

At the conclusion of the exhibition, each original framed portrait will be gifted to the family of the individual depicted — a lasting tribute to a life that continues to matter.

As Vermont continues to navigate the impacts of substance use, projects like INTO LIGHT remind us that compassion is not separate from prevention — it is part of it. When we reduce stigma, foster connection, and honor people's humanity, we create communities where more people feel safe seeking support and where recovery becomes more possible.