What happens when a parent’s worst nightmare comes true?

Damariscotta artist Peter Bruun began wrestling with that question when learned his eldest daughter was addicted to heroin; when she died of an overdose, he faced it head on.

The result is “Elisif’s Story,” a powerful, unflinching 36-minute audio-visual journey he created to better understand the brilliant soul he had lost. On Friday, March 29, Bruun’s nonprofit, Studio B, will offer a free public screening of Elisif's Story in partnership with The Peace Gallery and the Lincoln County Recovery Community Center (LCRCC).

Elisif's Story delves into the life of a vibrant young artist whose life was cut short at age of 24. This poignant collage of imagery and interviews offers glimpses of his daughter’s talents and struggles, as well as the profound impact of addiction on her and her loved ones.

The event begins with a reception at 5 p.m. at The Peace Gallery, 112 Main Street, Damariscotta where attendees can view Elisif’s artwork, enjoy appetizers and peruse resource tables for families grappling with substance use disorders (including Narcan training).

The screening begins at 5:30, after which Bruun will facilitate a community conversation. Dedicated to destigmatizing addiction and building effective support networks, he will explore these topics with the audience, always working to shift the culture around addiction to one with more empathy and understanding. 

Co-sponsor LCRCC sees this event as directly in line with its mission.

"These are hard things to talk about, but we have to talk about them,” says Abigail Boudin, program coordinator at LCRCC. “This is a huge issue in our region, and through events like this, we hope to let folks know about what we offer, building connections and fostering a more supportive environment for those affected by addiction and their families."

This event is free and open to the public.