The Transformation Project, an initiative led by the NOpiates Committee in collaboration with Arts Letters & Numbers, Sand Lake Center for the Arts and the Renss. County Mental Health - Student Assistance Program, aims to raise awareness about Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and its impact on individuals, families, and communities through the lens of art.

The project seeks to cultivate an environment of safety and inclusivity, encouraging individuals and their families affected by SUD to share their experiences through artistic expression. Through a regional open call, the project has brought together a broad range of voices and creative expressions by visual artists, writers, musicians, and performers who will showcase their works during the Transformation Project Show, curated by Frida Foberg and the collaborating organizations.

The show runs throughout the month of December, 2023 and opens on December 2nd with an exhibition at Arts Letters & Numbers, followed by a performance show and a selected works exhibition at the Sand Lake Center for the Arts on December 9th.

The project plays a crucial role in building supportive communities that transcend age, values, and beliefs. It provides a safe space for expression and sheds light on the hardships faced, along with the shame and stigma often felt by those affected by the disease of addiction. The collaboration between the organizations offers a unique opportunity to bridge communities, bringing together individuals and families affected by SUD and those who wish to be allies.

The NOpiates Committee is committed to raising awareness of the opioid epidemic, providing support, and advocating for those affected by SUD. Sand Lake Center for the Arts works to enrich community life and human understanding by fostering the discovery, appreciation, and creation of the arts through education and engagement by both practicing artists and the broader community. Arts Letters & Numbers mission is to promote creative exchanges between a broad spectrum of voices, allowing people and their works to listen to each other. The Renss. County Mental Health - Student Assistance Program team are Master Level Substance Abuse Prevention counselors, positioned throughout the six school districts in Rensselaer county, utilizing science based programming. All the organizations involved share the mission of making individuals feel seen and cared for.