The Walla Walla Community Change Team is working to remove the stigma that surrounds addiction through forms of expression.
Together24, an event hosted by the organization, showcases art in multiple forms from those who have been touched by addiction in their lives or through friends or family.
The free public event from 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27, will be at Reid Campus Center, 280 Boyer Ave., at Whitman College. The Community Change Team’s vision is to inspire positive change in the community while honoring personal dignity. Karen Carman, executive director of Hope Street Heals and member of the Community Change Team, said compassionate communication and education about the connection between addiction and trauma are at the core of what the organization does.
“We are a coalition that has been meeting since COVID-19 first started to come up with ideas to coach communities on how to create a trauma-informed recovery-oriented system of care,” Carman said.
Last year, the Community Change Team hosted Together24, making this the 3rd annual art show hosted by the Community Change Team. Carman said the event was a success and was an outlet for education and reflection on addiction. At the 2024 event, there were more than 20 artists’ creations on display that included artwork, poetry and spoken word.
“We had people who were excited to share their stories through a medium that was different than normal,” Carman said.
Carman said one of the main focuses of the event is to normalize the conversation about addiction and the stigma that follows it. She said having conversations allows people to ask questions.
“Last year we had a few people submit their art but did not attend the event because they were nervous,” Carman said. “They showed up at the end and they told me they had wished they went to the whole event. I am looking forward to having people feel like they can be in a safe space and share their story. I hope they can take away that there is support and acceptance in the community.”
“Some of the artwork is really about recovery,” Carman said. “That is so important for people to see that people do recover and lead really amazing lives that are full of hope.”
High Schools Together for Change: Artwork by talented area high school students. March 14, 2025.
High Schools Together for Change is a community event that celebrates the creativity and resilience of high school students through their artwork. The event showcases a diverse range of artistic expressions including poetry, spoken word, visual arts, sculpture and other media. It provides a platform for students to share their unique perspectives on resilience, self-expression and personal growth.
This event aims to foster understanding, inspire connection and celebrate the power of art to tell stories that resonate with us all.
This is a FREE event open to the public.
Submission Guidelines are available HERE.
This event will be located at Lincoln High School, 614 S 3rd Avenue, Walla Walla, WA 99362, on March 14, 6-7:30 p.m.
