Vernon art initiative offers perspectives on toxic drug crisis

August 22, 2025

Peers' art on display in the windows at Gallery Vertigo in Vernon. The exhibit invites the public to explore the minds and lived experiences of those affected by the toxic drug crisis.

Interior Health Peers from the Vernon Downtown Mental Health and Substance Use Clinic are leading a grassroots art initiative titled Expressions from the Front Lines: A Journey through the Toxic Drug Crisis.

The unique exhibit, on display at the Okanagan Regional Library and Gallery Vertigo, brings together a collection of heartfelt artistic expressions from those with lived and living experiences in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, 2025.

In this Story…

Elevating the voices of the toxic drug crisis

Expression without judgment or rules

Get help today

Elevating the voices of the toxic drug crisis

“This exhibition grew from the vision of Peer Workers and Volunteers at Interior Health’s Vernon Downtown Mental Health and Substance Use clinic,” says Keri Locheed, Peer coordinator and the driving force behind the initiative. “It’s an opportunity for those with lived and living experiences of substance use to use art as a way to help destigmatize substance use while elevating the voices of and honouring the victims of the toxic drug crisis.”

A black, yellow and blue poster with the title From the Front Lines A Journey Through the Toxic Drug Crisis.

Kristy Hennings is branch head librarian at the Okanagan Regional Library in Vernon and has collaborated with Keri in the past on a similar initiative. “A large cross-section of our community comes into our library so it’s a really accessible space for our patrons to see the art,” explains Kristy. “Public libraries are meant to be safe, equity-driven spaces so it’s important to us that this space is available to everyone. We’ve made it a priority to work with folks who are experiencing challenges.”

A display of art on a beige wall. Some of the art is unframed and includes a mask and talking stick. — Peers' art on display at the library. The library also has a book display with materials related to the drug crisis so patrons can educate themselves.

Guy Rutledge has been a Peer with Vernon MHSU for six years years and contributed several pieces to the show. He describes himself as someone who has been “around the block a few times” and was once a successful IBM “suit.”

“I hope this exhibit challenges perspectives on the toxic drug problem and changes some views,” says Guy.

Two people stand side by side next to a painting on a small table that shows half a woman's face and half a skull. — Guy Rutledge stands with Kristy Hennings next to his painting “It Ain’t Perfect” at the library in Vernon. Kristy says exhibiting Peers’ paintings at the library is a great opportunity to have discussions about the toxic drug crisis.

Over at Gallery Vertigo, kitty corner to the library, two window displays showcase a couple of dozen pieces of Peers’ art. The gallery is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run centre that provides a space for local artists to show their art.

Listen to CBC Radio’s interview with Cheryl, Jack, Guy and Keri

Brigitte Red is the gallery’s executive director. “This exhibition gives our community the opportunity to see the skills and talents of those who have faced mental health and substance use challenges in their lives,” she says. “These pieces take you into the minds of those who created them. It shows that art is for everybody.”

A person wearing a wide-brimmed black hat and striped shirt and suspenders sits in front of a window art display.

A black ink drawing on a white canvas depicting swirly organic shapes. — As a child, Gabriel would sketch at his grandma’s house. His piece, “Plastic Pipes,” is made with fine liner pen and is meant to feel organic. “It represents how I’m feeling right now – a lot of complex emotions. Some of it looks resolved, some of it doesn’t.” Art offers Gabriel a satisfying feeling.

A person wearing a grey bike helmet with a grey beard and glasses holds a drawing of a screaming woman missing a jaw. — A former construction worker and sales representative, Jack is a self-taught artist who says his creativity “exploded” after rediscovering drafting and drawing while living in a shelter. He sketches sometimes for 13–14 hours a day. He finds life in a shelter “chaotic” and prefers to live on the streets. Art is his escape and provides him some financial support.

Two people sit beside each other holding hands. One is wearing a ball cap and blue tshirt and the other has long black hair and is wearing a long-sleeved red shirt. — Jason and Rachel have been inseparable since they met 10 years ago at Jason’s uncle’s wedding. Jason has been exploring art since high school, everything from carving and clay, to watercolours, quilting and pencil drawing. He had a chance to go Emily Carr University. He gives away most of his art and especially loves gifting his art to Rachel. His mask and talking stick are on display at the library.

Expression without judgment or rules

Before the exhibition, Interior Health organized a series of free workshops and in-house art nights in partnership with the Vernon Community Arts Centre. Community members had access to high-quality art supplies and supportive spaces to create their art with the guidance of instructors from VCAC. Additional supplies were made available at the clinic to ensure everyone who wanted could participate.

Three people sitting at two round tables colouring and drawing. — Peers participated in art workshops ahead of the show. From L to R: Cheryl, Miranda and Nicole.

VCAC’s assistant manager Theresa Murison jumped at the opportunity to contribute to her community. “It meant a lot to me to support a community that doesn’t get the opportunity to do art,” she shares. “Through this, I learned we are all very much the same. We all have a story, and we are all way more connected than we aren’t.”

A person in a white t-shirt stands at the front of room watching students draw. — Charley is a local artist who led some of the art workshops. “Giving people simple tools to express themselves without judgment or rules gives them a power they may not get in other ways. I hope in a small way a door has opened to the participants. When they are creating, they are in charge.”

The project has also been supported by the Social Planning Council of North Okanagan, the Harm Reduction Action Team and the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation.

“This exhibition is more than a collection of artwork. It’s a community-led act of remembrance, resilience and education, while fostering connection and healing,” says Keri. “The result has been a collaborative, community-rooted expression of loss, resilience and hope.”

Front Lines: A Journey through the Toxic Drug Crisis is on display now at the Okanagan Reginal Library and Gallery Vertigo in downtown Vernon until August 30. A public reception will be held August 28 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the upstairs library event space. Artists will have a chance to present spoken art or music.

Get help today

Call 310-MHSU (6478) to reach your local Mental Health and Substance Use Centre for support in your community.

If you’re experiencing feelings of hopelessness or thoughts of self-harm, you can call one of these numbers. These services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays:

August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day, a global initiative to bring communities together to take action on overdose.