True stories exhibit at The University of Rhode Island

Press Release

"True Stories" is an art exhibit which features the true anonymous stories of University of Rhode Island students describing their personal experiences with alcohol and other drugs.

The exhibit is coordinated by URI Substance Abuse Services, located in the Office of Student Life.

Throughout the year, URI SAS has asked students to submit their worst personal experiences with alcohol or drugs, or the expreiences of family members or friends. Students who feel they don't have "worst" experiences are asked to submit why. These stories are passed along to artists, who do artwork based on what they see in the stories. The stories and the artwork are then mounted to form the exhibit. There are over 35 artists this year, including URI students, students from colleges across the country, and freelance artists from across the nation. The artwork includes black and white photography, color photography, paintings, illustrations, computer graphics, poetry, quiltwork, video, slides, and more.

The combination of the artwork with the stories provides a powerful atmosphere for visitors, reminding them of the risks and potential dangers of irresponsible behavior. Substance Abuse Services hopes that each visitor will study any personal experiences which may match those displayed and examine personal practices of substance use.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. The exhibit runs on Monday, March 2 and Tuesday, March 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 pm. in the URI Memorial Union Ballroom. Directions to URI are available, please call or e-mail. Visitors should stop by the URI Information Center located on Upper College Road for a visitor's parking pass.