March 28, 2024

Dowell to Give ‘Addiction and Art’ Lecture

lecture series

An “Addiction and Art” lecture will be presented by Margaret Dowell at 7 pm Thursday, April 18, at the College of Southern Maryland Prince Frederick Campus.

Ms. Dowell, a CSM instructor, writer, and speaker, will focus on how art can convey the human experience of addiction in a way that can help the general public understand addiction as a preventable and treatable chronic disease. Her talk is part of the CSM Faculty Excellence Provocations Lecture Series.

The lecture is free, but tickets are required and can be obtained at the CSM Box Office at [email protected]. The lecture will be held in Room 103-105 in Building B.

Call 301-934-7578 for more information.

Using Art as Dialogue in the Substance Abuse Epidemic

Substance abuse and addiction to alcohol, tobacco, and illegal and or prescription drugs are leading health problems that are prevalent, deadly, and costly. Today, substance abuse and addiction account for one in five deaths annually as major contributors to heart disease, cancer, strokes, as well as accidents, acts of violence, and murders. Locally, Southern Maryland has seen an unprecedented spike in heroin and fentanyl overdoses and deaths.

Why Art? Science has proven addiction to be a disease of the brain, affecting both brain and behavior. Addiction-related art has the potential to take this message to the masses, most of whom still consider addiction to be a “weakness” or “moral failing” worthy of punishment. It can convey the human experience of addiction in a way that can help the general public understand addiction as a preventable and treatable chronic disease. Artworks about addiction and recovery can stimulate dialogue, can teach, and at this crucial point in history, can support contemporary scientific research for the world’s well-being.

About Margaret Dowell

In 2010, she co-edited the book, “Addiction and Art” (Johns Hopkins University Press), which received much attention including a Highly Commended Award (Psychiatry Category) from the British Medical Association.

“That same year I founded the related website www.addictionandart.org. My site, like the book, is devoted to the utilization of the visual arts to promote needed dialogue about substance abuse. It includes an addiction and recovery download art gallery, a related K-12 curriculum guide, and an addiction and recovery art exhibition model,” Ms. Dowell said. “Related to this effort, my own painting, Letting Go, was featured on a cover of the Public Health Reports, an Official Journal of the US Public Health Service, and the US Surgeon General. I have been a speaker on this topic at conferences and meetings for almost ten years. Most recently I presented in the webinar, Reflecting on Inspiration 2018, hosted by the Creative Arts Therapies of the Palm Beaches.”

About the Series

The CSM Faculty Excellence Lecture Series was established to highlight and share the scholarly work and interests of CSM’s faculty with their colleagues, students, and community members.

For more about the College of Southern Maryland, visit its Leader member page.

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