Above: In Memoriam—CRA Harm Reduction Heroes who have passed. Steve Kamenicky, Dan Bigg, Karen Stanczykiewicz-Bigg, John Gutenson, Antonio Williams. Portraits by Nigel Brunsdon.

Since 1991 the Chicago Recovery Alliance (CRA) has distributed clean, sterile equipment for safe drug use and condoms for safe sex.

They have become the largest distributor and educator on the use of free Naloxone in the midwest. They distribute equipment for safer other drug usage, when supplies and cost permit. They do free, rapid HIV and Hep C testing. They have collected data on their work and contributed to invaluable research that shows that harm reduction indisputably saves lives. 

This is the third instalment of the collaboration between Agitator Artists Collective and the Chicago Recovery Alliance. All three shows, in 2018, 2020, and 2024 (the first post-Covid) were intended to help CRA further its work with funds generated by sales of art work including t-shirts and to bring an awareness of the work of CRA and other harm reduction agencies to the general public. 

Harm Reduction Stories: May 19, 2024

Featured speakers, John Michael, International artist/creator of Meatball Seance and Spank Bank Time Machine ~ and ~ Jeanne Porges, Doctoral Candidate in Clinical Psychology and Board Chairperson of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), Adler University. 

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS:

Suzanne Calsburg-Rascich: CRA Research Director, DePaul University, School of Public Health, Artist

Nigel Brunsdon: Harm reduction photographer, videographer, activist from Derby UK

Hollis Bradford: Co-founder of the SanFrancisco Drug Users Union

Jaila C. and Carte B.: Longtime harm reduction artists and activists

Lyle Newby and Jake Stouffer: Harm reduction artists from downstate IL

Rosie Picard: Harm reduction artist and activist from Okland, CA

Chloe Yarro: Harm reduction artist, Supporter of CRA, and youngest contributor to this show

BIGG LOVE: The Art of Harm Reduction was curated by Erica Ernst, LCSW, CADC and Luna Rail, Agitator member