Reframing Addiction
living in the color
YOU choose your photo...YOU write your story
Working to change the perception and stigma around substance use disorder.
By reframing addiction through photography and personal narratives, a visual and emotional connection can be made.
Creating art is an opportunity to have a conversation around a topic that touches nearly every individual, family, and community in some capacity.
Living in the Color is our starting point – we hope you will join us.
Now accepting a limited number of submissions
How has substance use disorder affected you, your family, friends or community?
Lets talk about it...
Exhibit Location - Topsfield & Ipswich
Exhibit Kickoff Reception - TBA
Exhibit Run Time - August 2026
L
iving in the Color is a community-based art exhibit, illustrating the raw, dark, multilayered reality of substance use disorder (SUD) commonly referred to as addiction. Through the art of photography and personal narratives, Living in the Color illuminates the faces impacted; shining a light of hope to help break the stigma and reduce the shame around addiction while affirming that recovery, and a life lived in the color, is possible.
Millions of Americans struggle with SUD. Yet there continues to be a mainstream silence because of the stigmatizing views of people with living SUD. Even those in the recovery process keep silent due to fear and shame. Creating art is an opportunity to create conversation around a topic that touches nearly every individual, family, and community in some capacity.
The co-creators of Living in the Color believe it’s essential to change the perception and stigma. By reframing addiction through photography and personal narratives, a visual and emotional connection can be made with those impacted, and honest, open conversations can begin.
Living in the Color is our starting point – we hope you will join us.
Interested in Living in the Color?
Exhibit participants can include individuals with lived and living experience with SUD; this includes people actively using substances, people in treatment and recovery, people who have lost a loved one to an overdose, first responders, educators, medical professionals, family members and friends, child of (must be 18 years old to submit without parental permission) and so many others touched by substance use disorder. The more conversations around SUD, the more we share our stories, and embrace different paths to recovery, the more people will find their way out of the darkness to Living in the Color.
Personal Narrative:
Your personal narrative is an honest reflection. We are not seeking war stories; we do ask that you share the emotions attached to your experience and how you gained hope, freedom, and acceptance around substance use disorder. Please aim to keep your personal narrative under 400 words.
*Remember, your personal narrative will be artistically displayed beside your photograph, only
share what you are comfortable sharing to a public audience.
**Note
Your personal narrative will be edited and may be shortened to meet exhibit requirements. Your full story will be viewed online with your portrait. No personal details will be changed.
There's no format, perfect paragraph or anything you need to follow. Just start writing and see what comes out. Everyone's story will be different and there's no right or wrong.
Living in the Color Exhibit Disclaimers:
By checking the boxes above, you agree to the following:
I.)
This is a true story of my lived experience. It’s implied in the genre of personal narrative that the story is written through the eyes of the narrator, and small details of fact may be incorrect or conflated. To the best of my ability, I have re-created events, locales, people, and organizations from my memories of them. To maintain the anonymity of others, in some instances I may have changed the names of individuals and places, and the details of events. This personal narrative was written by memory, and mine is imperfect. I’ve done my best to be faithful to my experiences, and when possible, have consulted others who were also present during that time.
The views expressed in this story are solely mine, and should not be construed as medical, legal, or professional advice on any subject matter. You should not act or refrain from acting based on any content included in this personal narrative without seeking legal, medical, or other professional advice.
II.)
Make sure that each photo falls in one of the four categories:
1) Own work: You own all rights to the image, usually meaning that you created it entirely yourself.
2) Licensed: You can prove that the copyright holder has released the image under an acceptable license. Note that photos are licensed for use only on certain "channels", or only for noncommercial or educational use, or under a license that doesn't allow for the creation of modified/derived works, are unsuitable. When in doubt, do not upload copyrighted images.
3) Public domain: You can prove that the image is in the public domain, i.e. free of all copyrights.
4) Fair use: You believe that the image meets the special conditions for non-free content, which exceptionally allow the use of unlicensed material, and you can provide an explicit non-free use rationale explaining why and how you intend to use it.
III.)
Privacy Rights: When taking pictures of identifiable people, the subject's consent is not usually needed for straightforward photographs taken in a public place but is often needed for photographs taken in a private place. This type of consent is sometimes called a model release, and it is unrelated to the photographer's copyright. Because of the expectation of privacy, the consent of the subject should normally be sought before uploading any photograph featuring an identifiable individual that has been taken in a private place, whether the subject is named. Even in countries that have no law of privacy, there is a moral obligation on us not to upload photographs which infringe the subject's reasonable expectation of privacy. If you upload a self-portrait, your consent is presumed. Living in the Color will never sell, sublicense, or give your images to any third-party organization. If you choose to revoke your permission for LITC to use your Images, please submit the revocation in writing to: Living in the Color, Oak & Thyme P.O. Box 157 Boxford, MA 01921
IV.)
LIVING IN THE COLOR PHOTO DISCLAIMER:
The submitting individual states that they are either the creator of the image(s) or that copyright(s) have been granted to them in writing by a third-party photographer. I hereby grant the Living in the Color (LITC) permission to use my likeness in a photograph, or other digital media (“photo”) in all art exhibits, marketing, and publications, including web-based publications and social media, without payment or other consideration. I understand and agree that all photos will become the property of the LITC and will not be returned.
I hereby irrevocably authorize the LITC to edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish, or distribute these photos for any lawful purpose. In addition, I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished product wherein my likeness appears. Additionally, I waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising or related to the use of the photo. I hereby hold harmless, release, and forever discharge the LITC from all claims, demands, and causes of action which I, my heirs, representatives, executors, administrators, or any other persons acting on my behalf or on behalf of my estate have or may have by reason of this authorization.
I have read and understand the above photo release. I affirm that I am at least 18 years of age, or, if I am under 18 years of age, I have obtained the required consent of my parents/guardians as evidenced by their signature above.
Thank you for sharing
Merch with a message
Limited quantity of merchandise will be available for purchase until sold out during the month of the exhibit.
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A key challenge for the Tri-Town, and the country, is the widespread threat of fentanyl. This synthetic opioid is often detected in cocaine, methamphetamines, and other illegally sourced drugs. Fentanyl can kill people who have no idea they are at risk for an overdose death. The need for awareness and education aligns with the Tri-Town’s Opioid Settlement Fund goals, and our three towns, Boxford, Middleton, and Topsfield presented as the ideal partners to being a catalyst for change. Outreach campaigns will be ineffective unless people feel comfortable discussing drug use, addiction, and its impact on individuals, families, and the greater community.
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There is a community of people that want to help and make connections for healing & growth.