Emily’s Hope Art Show and Auction returned to Downtown Sioux Falls this weekend, remembering the artist who lost her life to fentanyl poisoning back in 2018, but also raising awareness about overdoses.
This year’s event featured artwork from local and regional artists, with the theme of “Beauty from Ashes.”
For some of the artists that contributed to the show, it means a lot to help battle drug overdoses, as it’s a road that too many people have traveled down.
“I think just having gone through substance abuse and being able to share my story, it gives other people hope. Especially for the people who have personally known me and where I was at in my life. Man, if I can do it, they can do it. It just gives people a lot of hope,” artist Michael Middlen said.
All proceeds go towards Emily’s Hope, which continues to respond to the fentanyl crisis by funding treatment scholarships, free naloxone boxes, community outreach efforts, and much more.