Utah State University's Nora Eccles Harrison Museum Debuts Dual Exhibitions on Drug Addiction and Indigenous Art

The Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art at Utah State University is introducing two poignant exhibitions this August: "INTO LIGHT: Faces of Drug Addiction: Real People, Real Stories" and "Exploding Native Inevitable," each exploring different facets of human experience and culture.

Opening on Aug. 20, the former tackles the issue of drug addiction through a series of graphite portraits and narratives of Utah residents who've succumbed to substance abuse and its related consequences, following a submission process from family members and loved ones. According to USU Today, the exhibition is part of a national project that aims to share and immortalize the stories of those lost to addiction. Special receptions will be held on Aug. 23, which coincides with International Drug Awareness Day, and Sept. 19, providing a space for communal reflection and dialogue.

Theresa Clower, who founded the Into Light Project after the loss of her son to an accidental overdose, emphasizes the importance of confronting the stigma around drug addiction. "Now more than ever, we need to speak out and confront the stigma surrounding addiction," Clower expressed, as obtained by USU Today. "Each submission helps to humanize the issue, reminding us that addiction does not define a person and that every life lost is a story worth remembering."

Meanwhile, "Exploding Native Inevitable" boasts the works of 12 contemporary Indigenous artists and two collaboratives. The show is set to open with a reception and a curatorial talk on Sept. 19. The exhibit seeks to challenge conventional Western art expectations, echoing the disruptive spirit of Andy Warhol’s 1966 "Exploding Plastic Inevitable." Artist Nizhonniya Austin reveals to USU Today her thoughts on the increasing visibility of Native peoples: “When I think about my Native presence in the world, I [feel] like a ghost before Standing Rock. ... People have begun seeing Native people and listening to what they have to say. This exhibition is a ... fantastic representation of contemporary Native artists in all of our complexity.”

NEHMA Executive Director and Chief Curator Katie Lee-Koven spoke on the thematic link between the exhibiting artists' heritage and their contemporary expressions. "I wanted to have an exhibition of art created by Native American artists today, to see how vibrant, varied, and rooted their work is in their heritage in a contemporary context," she said as per USU Today. The museum is also extending a concurrent showcase that highlights the Intermountain Indian School's history running through Jan. 17, 2026.