INTO LIGHT Exhibit Shines at Mobile Government Plaza May 5 through May 30

Posted on: May 5th, 2025 | Announcements Press Releases Featured News

MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. — The INTO LIGHT exhibit, a moving tribute to those lost to drug overdose, is on display in the Atrium of Mobile Government Plaza from May 5 to 30, 2025. Featuring hand-drawn portraits and personal stories, the exhibit humanizes the opioid crisis and honors some of the lives behind the statistics.

The exhibit is free and open to the public between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The public is invited to an exhibit-opening ceremony hosted by Commissioner Randall Dueitt on Tuesday, May 6 at 11 a.m. in the Atrium of Mobile Government Plaza.

The INTO LIGHT exhibit shines a spotlight on the staggering loss of life caused by substance use disorders; a crisis fueled by misinformation, health inequities, and stigma. Nearly 100,000 people die each year from opioid overdoses, which is about the same number of deaths from gun violence and car crashes combined.

“I felt it was important to bring this exhibit to Government Plaza so more people can see the human cost of this epidemic. I hope having the INTO LIGHT exhibit at Mobile Government Plaza sparks awareness, compassion, and a greater sense of urgency around prevention, recovery, and opioid abatement. The exhibit is powerful, emotional, and it will change the way you think about the opioid crisis.”

Created by artist Theresa Crower after the loss of her son Devin, INTO LIGHT: Illuminating Loss Due to Drug Overdose aims to reduce stigma and foster understanding. Each portrait, drawn in graphite and accompanied by a narrative written with the individual’s family, reflects love, loss, and legacy. Once each exhibit concludes, the families get to keep the hand-drawn portrait of their loved one.

“This exhibit gives families a way to share who their loved ones truly were, and it gives others a glimpse into the beauty of their lives,” said Lori Myles, whose son Harrison is among those memorialized. “Every time I look at his portrait, the way the artist captured his smile takes my breath away. Harrison lit up every room he entered.”

“When I saw the INTO LIGHT exhibit, I was deeply moved. Each portrait tells the story of an Alabamian lost to the opioid crisis. These are real stories of real people with families, dreams, and futures,” said Commissioner Randall Dueitt. “One of those memorialized in this exhibit is someone I watched grow up, and I’m grateful to his mother, Lori, for bravely sharing his story.”

To learn more about the INTO LIGHT Project, visit intolightproject.org.

The Mobile County Commission wishes to thank the University of South Alabama and exhibit sponsors, as well as USA Archaeology Museum staff, particularly Assistant Director Jen Knutson, for her assistance in bringing this moving exhibit to Mobile Government Plaza.

An opening ceremony was held May 6 at the exhibit in the Mobile Government Plaza Atrium. Speakers included Commissioner Dueitt, Lori Myles, Sheriff Paul Burch, Juvenile Judge Edmond Naman, and District Attorney Keith Blackwood. Here's some of what they said at that event:

Commissioner Randall Dueitt: “From the day I went to the opening at USA, it was my desire to get this project to the atrium here so that it could be exposed to the public and especially to people who may need to see it. I thank the University of South Alabama for loaning this exhibit to the Mobile County Commission.”

Sheriff Paul Burch: “From a law enforcement perspective, our biggest challenge is opioid addiction and the overdoses caused by Fentanyl, which has become the replacement. Fentanyl is poison to our community, to our families. We respond to these tragedies far too often in Mobile County. Hopefully, people coming through Government Plaza will stop, read these stories, and maybe have their lives impacted by them.”

District Attorney Keith Blackwood: “Fentanyl is absolute poison, and it’s something we have to prosecute to the fullest extent. But to fix the opioid epidemic, it takes a holistic approach: prosecution, prevention, and coming together as a community. It takes all of us.”

Judge Edmond Naman: “Every day, we are fighting for the hearts and souls and minds of our children, and one of the biggest obstacles we face to their well-being is drug addiction and the loss of so many important people in their lives to it.”

Lori Myles (mother and INTO LIGHT participant): “This exhibit invites families and friends to participate in honoring these lives, fostering a connection that helps us break the long-standing stigma surrounding addiction.”