San Bernardino shines a light on drug addiction with an art exhibition

Two women stand in front of portraits, smiling and forming heart shapes with their hands. — *Into Light family members, Juli Shamash – mother of Tyler Joseph Shamash, and Perla Mendoza – mother of Daniel Elijah “Eli” Figueroa.*

The San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health is proud to announce its upcoming Into Light exhibition, open to the public from June 16 to Aug. 16, 2025. The exhibit will feature original portraits and individual stories of people who have died from the disease of drug addiction. The mission of this exhibit is to change the conversation about drug addiction through the power of original art and storytelling.

In 2023, there were more than 107,000 drug-related deaths in the U.S., surpassing the combined total of gun violence deaths and auto accidents from the same year. Approximately 49 million Americans are living with the disease of addiction. This staggering loss of life is rooted in misinformation, health inequities and the marginalization of those with substance use disorders (SUD) and their families.

The exhibit will be held at the Garcia Center for the Arts in downtown San Bernardino, in partnership with Arts Connection. This collaboration aims to engage the community through meaningful educational programming that addresses issues related to the disease of addiction.

Each INTO LIGHT Project exhibition consists of up to 41 original graphite portraits of individuals who have died from drug addiction in the state where the exhibit is held. Each portrait is accompanied by a professionally written narrative that provides insight into the individual’s life.

The importance of the INTO LIGHT Project exhibit cannot be overstated. Overdose deaths are the No. 1 cause of accidental and preventable death in our country. It is critical to change public perception around this brain disorder by dispelling deeply entrenched stereotypes, changing stigmatizing language and stimulating discussion. Research has confirmed that museums and galleries, as trusted sources of information, are uniquely poised to lead this change. The opening reception will be hosted on Wednesday, June 18, at 4 p.m. at the Garcia Center for the Arts, 536 W. 11th St., San Bernardino, CA 92410. To RSVP, please visit: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/intolightopeningreception.

Additional County Update News – June 12, 2025