Nicola Valley Photo Voice Project
The Photovoice Project is a heartfelt initiative launched by Merritt’s Community Access Table and led by the Nicola Valley Arts Council. Its purpose is to gather and amplify the voices of individuals and families with lived or living experience of substance use. Through powerful photographs and personal stories, we aim to challenge stigma, foster understanding, and honour the resilience of those affected.
The collected stories and images will be featured in a public art exhibit this November, during National Addictions Awareness Week (November 16–22, 2025). This exhibit will serve as a space for reflection, connection, and remembrance. After the show, participants will have the opportunity to either collect their photo prints or donate them to the project for future advocacy, awareness efforts and display.
How to participate
1. Take a photo of something, someone, or somewhere that holds a part of your story.
2. Write a description about the photo (for example: how it makes your feel, a memory behind the photo, a story that you would like to share).
3. Submit the photo and description to this page
**If using this method, you will be asked to sign into your Google account to be able to upload files. If you would like to remain anonymous you can reach out to our team every Tuesday in July and August (starting July 8) from 2-4 pm at Spirit Square, and we will be happy to assist. You can also email your submissions to media@nicolavalleyarts.com without providing personal details, only the image and description.
If there is no contact information provided, we will not be able to reach you to give you the final product after the Art Show.
Your name and contact info will never be shared publicly.**
**Please note that by participating in this project, you agree to the following terms outlined:
Disclaimer and Rights Release Statement
By submitting photographs and written content ("Materials") for this project, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
- Usage Rights: You grant Nicola Valley Arts Council a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, distribute, and display the submitted Materials in any format or medium, including but not limited to print, digital, and social media platforms, for promotional, educational, and archival purposes.
- Ownership: You retain ownership of your original Materials. However, by submitting them, you confirm that you have the full rights and authority to grant the above license and that the Materials do not infringe on any third-party rights.
- Attribution: Nicola Valley Arts Council may, but is not obligated to, provide credit to the creator of the Materials when used.
- No Compensation: You understand that you will not receive financial compensation for the use of your submitted Materials.
- Consent: If your Materials include identifiable individuals, you confirm that you have obtained their consent for the use of their likeness in accordance with this disclaimer.
We thank you for your participation in this project and hope that you can feel connected to community.
You are not alone. Your story matters.