Upcoming Education Events
Assumption University Speaking Engagement
February 11, 2025
The event will feature a lecture by the Opioid Spoon Project founder, Domenic Esposito. The discussion will center around using art to bring about social change, particularly raising awareness for substance use disorder. The lecture will also be a recap of OSP’s many peaceful protests and how they are bringing awareness to the Opioid crisis.
Education and Fundraising Events
ArtPalmBeach “The Opioid Spoon Project”
January 30 - February 3, 2020
The intersection of art and social change.
Rally4 Recovery RI at Waterfire
September 14, 2019
Providence, RI
Honor Spoon tour, The Opioid Spoon Project art exhibition
National Overdose Awareness Candlelight Vigil
August 30, 2020
Honor Tour Spoon on Display
The FDA Spoon Exhibition at Boston University
October 10 – October 25, 2019
Boston, MA
Co-sponsored by the Boston University Art Galleries the BU Arts Initiative, and the Department of History of Art & Architecture.
Providence City Hall
August 31 - September 14, 2019
Providence, RI
Honor Tour Spoon Display
Mercer County Library Headquarters, Lawrence Branch
August 21, 2024
Ellen Maak coordinated and hosted an educational event at the Mercer County Library Headquarters in the Lawrence Branch. The display featured a small sculpture of the Opioid Spoon, along with other reproductions of Domenic’s impactful artwork, sparking curiosity and engagement among library visitors.
This event offered a platform for open discussions on the safe, physician-guided use of prescription medications and responsible disposal practices for unused medications. Attendees were provided with comprehensive information on substance use disorder, and harm reduction tools were demonstrated, including hands-on Narcan training, which helped participants feel more confident in its application. A collection of 3D-printed models of counterfeit medications allowed patrons to observe and handle replicas, enhancing their understanding of medication safety.
Current literature covering these topics was available for attendees to take home, supporting ongoing awareness and reference. These public sessions serve as a critical resource, offering accurate information, reducing stigma, and connecting individuals with helpful organizations. The Opioid Spoon sculpture draws attention and elicits a powerful emotional response, fostering a greater understanding of a public health issue that often goes unseen.
New Hampton School Class Visit to the Studio
March 2023, 2024
Art class, juniors and seniors
Domenic Esposito hosted the New Hampton High School art class at his studio in Westwood, MA. The students watched the OSP documentary and learned about art and activism. The lecture also included a discussion on the opioid crisis in America and substance use disorder. Domenic discussed at length his use of art to bring awareness to the crisis and how students can get involved in volunteering. The school made a donation to OSP.
Tufts University Virtual Spoon Drop – Sackler Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering
March 26, 2019
Rally at Smithsonian “Arthur M. Sackler” Gallery
October 7, 2018
Vox Clamantis Solo Show – Piano Craft Gallery
January 7 - 30, 2022
In Collaboration Domenic Esposito Vox Clamantis, reflects on the devastation of opioid addiction, as well as coping with loss, recovery, and finding hope.
Trail of Truth Protest – The Honor Signature Tour Spoon
September 24, 2022
Union Square Washington D.C.
In collaboration with the National Trail of Truth
OSP Honor Signature Tour
Marlborough, MA, May 11, 2019, co-hosted by Team Sharing, Inc
Cambridge, MA, May 11, 2019, co-hosted by The City of Cambridge Mayor's Office, Marc McGovern
Westwood, MA, May 14, 2019
Wallingford, CT, May 18, 2019, co-hosted by Tricircle, Inc.
Providence, RI, May 18, 2019
Boston, MA, May 19, 2019, co-hosted by Boston Bulldogs Running Club
Concord, NH, May 19, 2019, co-hosted by Kimball Jenkins School of Art
Portland, ME, May 31, 2019, co-hosted by Dignity for Opiate Users
Rochester, NY, June 3, 2019, co-hosted by Hope Dealers BTC Inc
Binghamton, NY, June 4, 2019, co-hosted by Truth Pharm
Hamilton, NJ, June 5, 2019, co-hosted by Grounds For Sculpture
Bethlehem PA, June 6, 2019, co-hosted by Speak Up for Ben, Inc.
Frederick MD, June 7, 2019
Rockville MD, June 7, 2019
Philadelphia PA, June 8, 2019, co-hosted by Philadelphia Fight
Resources
Organizations
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Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline
A Massachusetts only statewide, public resource for finding substance use treatment, recovery and problem gambling services.
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Learn to Cope
A support group for those who have a loved one affected by the disease of addiction.
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
A National Helpline that is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This site includes information on how to recognize an overdose and what to do if someone overdoses
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Support After a Death by Overdose
Provides resources, information, and assistance to people throughout Massachusetts who have been affected by the death of someone they care about from a substance-use-related cause.
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Team Sharing, Inc
A national organization of parents who have lost a child to Substance Use Disorder. Through social networking, community activism, grief services and advocacy, TEAM SHARING provides support and friendship to grieving families while working to raise awareness of Substance Use Disorder and its impact on our communities.
Books about surviving grief after losing a loved one
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It’s OK That You’re Not OK
By Megan Devine
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Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief
By David Kessler
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From Heroin to Hope: Making Sense of The Loss of a Child
By Marsha I. Wiggins, Ph.D.
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Permission to Mourn: A New Way to Do Grief
By Tom Zuba
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Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience and Finding Joy
By Sheryl Sandberg
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Beautifully Broken: Finding Hope During Lossem
By Pat Elsberry
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Grief Day by Day
By Jan Warner
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Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations for working through Grief
By Martha W. Hickman
Books about addiction
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Beautiful Boy: a father’s journey through his son’s addiction
By David Sheff
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Clean
By David Sheff
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High: Everything you want to know about drugs, alcohol, and addiction
By David and Nic Sheff
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Dreamland
By Sam Quinones
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The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth
By Sam Quinones
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The Big Hustle: A Boston Street Kid’s Story of Addiction and Redemption
By Jim Wahlberg
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If you love me: a mother’s journey through her daughter’s opioid addiction
By Maureen Cavanagh
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Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and The Drug Company That Addicted America
By Beth Macy
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In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts
By Gabor Mate, M.D.
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Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs
By Johann Hari
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The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma
By Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.