Community exhibition showcases work from artists impacted by overdose

A special community art exhibition in West Melbourne this week is bringing together works by artists with living and lived experience of drug use, their family, friends, and loved ones. 

Opening tonight (Thursday 3 September) and showing at Dark Horse Experiment art gallery (400 Spencer Street, West Melbourne) until Saturday 5 September 2026, the Meet Us Here exhibition presented by cohealth honours the many lives affected by overdose, and reflects the belief that compassion, connection and shared understanding can help shape a future where no more lives are lost. 

The exhibition follows International Overdose Awareness Day, which brings a global community together to take action on overdose. 

“International Overdose Awareness Day gives us a chance to highlight our clients and our work,” says Andrea Fischer, cohealth’s Director Community Based Drug & Alcohol, “while remembering those who we miss.” 

“This exhibition is so important,” adds cohealth client Helen Ingham, who has two artworks in the show.   

“It gives us a chance to show ourselves. It gives us a chance to come together over loss that we deal with a lot.” 

Overdose continues to affect every community, with the 2026 edition of Australia’s Annual Overdose Report revealing this week that drug-induced deaths reached the highest level on record in 2024 (2,596 deaths). 

cohealth has a long history of supporting people with complex health needs, including delivering specialised alcohol and other drug services in the community.  

Exhibition dates: Now, until Saturday 5 September 2026
Location: Dark Horse Experiment, 400 Spencer Street, West Melbourne 

Gallery opening hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 12pm–5pm 

Opening Night: Thursday 3 September, 6pm–8pm
RSVP: https://www.addevent.com/event/hjmd6xb6hf7q
Everyone is welcome. 

Admission: Free 

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 More information: Adam Bennett adam.bennett@cohealth.org.au or 0424 147 230 

About cohealth: cohealth is a not-for-profit community health organisation that provides low-cost and free local health and support services including medical, dental, allied health, mental health, aged care and counselling, and many specialist health services in Melbourne’s CBD, inner-north and inner-west, and on the east coast of Tasmania.