Welcome to TASC’s virtual gallery, From Stigma to Strength: Reclaiming the Narrative.
This space was created to uplift the voices, experiences, and creativity of individuals impacted by substance use. Each piece you see here reflects a deeply personal perspective—stories of struggle, healing, resilience, and hope. Together, they form a powerful collective narrative that challenges stigma and invites understanding.
We believe real change starts by listening. These artworks help shift the narrative toward understanding, connection, and a more honest view of the communities we serve.
We are proud to feature artwork from both youth and adult artists. While a select few pieces have been recognized as contest winners, every submission included here is an important contribution to this movement.
As you explore the gallery, we invite you to take your time. Read the artist statements, reflect on the stories behind the work, and consider the ways we can all play a role in reducing stigma and supporting recovery.
Thank you for being part of this shared experience.
Artwork
- All
- Adult
"Dumpster Fire" / Artist: Shane Hassler / Illinois, 2023 / The figure’s body language becomes a powerful metaphor. She turns her back on the dumpster fire, a symbol of chaos, stigma, or a painful past, yet she still faces the light that created it. You do not have to erase where you have been; you can acknowledge the source of the damage without letting it define you. By refusing to look directly at the fire, she denies it the power to consume her identity. But by keeping her gaze on the light, the catalyst, the truth, the origin, she shows a willingness to confront the deeper story behind the struggle. It is a stance of agency rather than avoidance. In this way, the artwork suggests that transformation does not come from pretending the past never happened. It comes from choosing how to face it, how to interpret it, and how to turn what once carried stigma into a source of clarity, resilience, and strength.
“Forget Me Not” / Artist: Joshua Hewlitt / Illinois, 2024 / “Forget Me Not” challenges the stigma of homelessness by centering dignity and individuality. Instead of being overlooked, the subject is seen, and humanized.
"We Rise Again" / Artist: Karena Gaul / Centralia, Illinois, 2026 / Being a former drug user, this piece to me represents how no matter how deep in addiction you are, you CAN recover and grow.
"Love, Mom" / Artist: Danyelle Rodgers / Decatur, Illinois, 2026 / I used memories of things I used to write during my addiction/recovery process. The hand symbolizes the life lines, that I felt were permanent, I was born with them. But the recovery process changed that. I wish you could see it in person, the scanned version does not do it justice. I wish I was a better artist, but this is art to me.
"A Cold Winter Night" / Artist: Terry Miller / Centralia, Illinois, 2025 / It's a reminder that no matter how dark and bleak and just colorless and cold. The world may seem, there's better out there. And there is beauty that can be found.
"A Wide Universe" / Artist: Terry Miller / Centralia, Illinois, 2026 / It's about the search within myself to understand myself and my realization that there is so much more to learn about myself
"Blood moon night" / Artist: Terry Miller / Centralia, Illinois, 2026 / It symbolizes my search and desire for inner peace
"Long acting" / Artist: Jason Davis / Illinois, 2026 / This print is about the come up
"Scratch" / Artist: Jason Davis / Illinois, 2026 / My drawing is about resilience
"Seeing the beauty of Life" / Artist: Tammy Lucas / Seneca, Illinois, 2025 / When I painted this, I thought of how much life is more beautiful now that I can clearly see. 🤗
"Silver Jellyfish" / Artist: Tamera Smith / Peoria, Illinois, 2024 / It's bright.
"Spirit of Freedom" / Artist: Tammy Lucas / Seneca, Illinois, 2024 / I equate dolphins with freedom...my painting represents the freedom I feel now that I am free of negative things in my life. The joy of waking up and knowing this, is like a dolphin jumping out of the water, out of pure happiness and strength.
"Spirit of Strength" / Artist: Tammy Lucas / Seneca, Illinois, 2024 / This painting represents to me, my spirit's strength to rise above addiction and abuse.
"The healer" / Artist: Ja'Meya Beale / Chicago, Illinois, 2026 / My art piece is based off the god apollo. Which I feel it represents strength.My explanation why is everyone goes through stuff even higher beings.Everyone can be at their low but there always be someone to up lift you to help you through it. Which is why i picked to paint apollo since he's an god of healing.
"The Bleeding Eye" / Artist: Colton Bernard / Illinois, 2024 / The Theme Is Strength of Abuse and Helpless Stare.
