“Faces of Addiction” Exhibition Raises Awareness

October 12-20, 2024

“Faces of Addiction” is a poignant and deeply human exhibition that delves into the ravaging impact of addiction, the healing power of art, and the unyielding strength of community. The exhibition runs from October 12 to 20 at Studio@620 in St. Petersburg’s Central Arts District at 620 1st Ave South. 

The exhibit idea originated when Nick Reale, a skilled woodworker from St. Petersburg, Florida, lost his brother to addiction. Then, as his niece fell into addiction, he tried to help her.  To cope with his grief and frustration, Reale began carving faces in wood, with each piece representing the complex nature of addiction. He created numerous wooden faces and shared them with other artists, igniting a collaborative movement that brought together 38 artists. Each artist contributed their own stories and artistic interpretations related to addiction.

Photo cutlines:

Teresa Mandala – Disconnected from Source: Showing the anxiety of addiction, Teresa Mandala, based in St. Petersburg, was inspired by “The Scream” by Edvard Munch. 

Nick Reale.jpg: Nick Reale, whose brother died from drug addiction, came up with the concept for the exhibition and carved wooden heads to be used by artists in their works.

Pamela Joy Trow – Reptilian Brain: Seminole-based artist Pamela Joy Trow said about her piece, “Alcohol and drugs reduce the inhibitory control of higher brain functions, leading to more primal, impulsive behaviors driven by the reptilian brain resulting in increased aggression, risk-taking, and emotional reactions when under the influence.”

Lynn Cherenzia Goodwin -The Cross I Bear: St. Petersburg artist Lynn Chernzia Goodwin created “The Cross I Bear” about drug addiction.

Joyce Curvin – Under The Spell of Mr. Sugar: Joyce Curvin, of Palm Harbor and well known for her sculptures, deals with food addictions in “Under the Spell of Mr. Sugar.”

Wendy Bruce – Love You Bro: Clearwater artist Wendy Bruce used a bicycle wheel to emphasize the cyclical nature of addiction and paired it with poignant poetry.

The “Faces of Addiction” exhibition, curated by Liliana Beltran, serves as a compassionate reflection for those affected by addiction and a platform for raising awareness and promoting discussion. The enthusiastic response from artists and the community suggests that the exhibition has the potential to become a recurring national event, spreading its message of hope and healing across the country.

Beltran is an experienced fine art professional and a native of Brazil. “This exhibition shows that traumatic stories help validate people’s experiences. Through these artists, these wooden faces show scars of addiction and resilience, sparking a dialogue on mental health in our society.”

The exhibition is sponsored by Feldman Equities, Orlando Health, Cappuccino Media Group, and Dr. Perry and Lisa Everett. Admission to the exhibition and events is free of charge and open to the public. Rita and Matthew Bowie are producing a documentary about the exhibition; see a preview here: https://bowieproductions.com/faces-of-addiction-film

EVENTS:

· Meet the artists during the opening night, October 12, from 5 to 9 p.m.

· Thursday, October 17, 6 p.m.: Caryn Nesmith of USF will lead a panel discussion with Christopher McCabe (The Friends of the Pinellas Adult Drug and Veterans Treatment Court), Judge Kimberly Todd (6th Circuit Drug Court), and Emily Holbrook and Samantha Reale (Idea Exchange Tampa) 

· Sunday, October 20, 7 p.m.: Storytelling performance by eight actors, produced by Lisa Acebo, Dayanara, Stephanie Jackson, Cornelius Mohr, Ryan Perry, Gina Sankoe, and Matt Winter.