The Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre invites community members who have lost a loved one to drug poisoning to contribute textiles for a powerful upcoming installation by artist Tracey-Mae Chambers. The exhibit, titled They Are Loved – an epidemic of grief, runs this spring from May 1 to 31, 2026 and centres the donated materials in the work.
As a grieving mother and artist, Chambers created They Are Loved to make visible the grief many families experience following deaths caused by drug poisoning. Chambers invites families to share a piece of clothing or fabric that represents their loved one. She cuts each textile into strips and ties them together by hand, creating a growing network of fibres that binds shared pain and honours enduring love.
Families can take part in two ways: they can contact the artist directly at traceymae@traceymae.com or drop off textiles at the Museum from February 13 to March 31, 2026, at 33 Victoria Street North in Southampton. Families without a textile may also choose one from the artist’s collection to represent their loved one.
This project is proudly supported by community partners including National Overdose Response Service (NORS); Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Grey Bruce Mental Health & Addictions Services; Indigenous Services Canada; Mino Bimaadsawin Health Centre; M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre; Supportive Outreach Service (SOS); Grey Bruce Public Health Harm Reduction Team; Chippewas of Nawash Health Centre; Safe N’ Sound Grey Bruce; and 211.
For more information about the call for textiles, the upcoming exhibition and other Museum events, visit brucemuseum.ca.