Even As We Grieve

Published: April 27, 2026

At the University of Southern Maine, 2026 Artist-in-Residence Peter Bruun is exploring a profound and universal theme: how we endure grief, and how connection helps us move through it.

His current project, Even As We Grieve, is rooted in deeply personal loss: the passing of his daughter in 2014. However, it expands outward to reflect shared human experiences of trauma, recovery, and resilience. Through dozens of works of art, Bruun creates work that holds space for both sorrow and care, offering a visual language for emotions that are often difficult to articulate.

The exhibition, which opened April 16 at the Crewe Center for the Arts, brings together Bruun’s artwork alongside pieces created by members of the community. The result is a layered and collective experience. Rather than centering a single narrative, the show amplifies many voices, such as immigrant communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, people in recovery, and those impacted by the justice system, each contributing their own stories of loss, identity, and belonging.

As I walked into the opening of Even As We Grieve, the atmosphere felt markedly different from a typical gallery event. It was reflective and deeply communal. People were not simply there to observe art; they were there to connect: with the work, with one another, and with something larger than themselves.

Bruun’s pieces carry an intimate, unguarded emotional weight. His drawings and paintings seem to hold grief and tenderness simultaneously, inviting viewers to sit with both. Yet just as striking were the contributions from community participants. Their works introduced a range of perspectives, including stories of addiction, displacement, remembrance, and recovery. These stories expanded the exhibition into something collective and deeply human.

For those who have experienced grief firsthand, the resonance is immediate. Loss, especially in the context of addiction, can be isolating, complicated, and ongoing. A quote I once heard comes to mind: “To love an addict is to mourn an addict.” It captures the painful reality of loving someone through cycles of hope, relapse, and uncertainty. Engaging with art that reflects these experiences can feel both devastating and healing. There is sorrow in recognizing shared pain, but also a quiet comfort in knowing you are not alone.

That sense of connection was palpable throughout the gallery. Attendees lingered, spoke softly, and engaged with the work in thoughtful ways. Conversations unfolded organically, creating space for both reflection and genuine human exchange. The opening became more than an exhibition: it was a gathering, an acknowledgment of collective loss, and a testament to resilience and care.

A Gallery Conversation further deepened this experience, weaving together poetry, music, stories, and dialogue. Through spoken word, song, and personal reflections, participants shared what art and community mean in the face of hardship. These moments reinforced the exhibition’s central idea: art is not only a means of expression, but a way of building connection and fostering healing.

In addition to Even As We Grieve, Bruun continues this exploration in You Once Had An Aunt, an upcoming exhibition at the Gorham Art Gallery running May 21 through August 22. This immersive installation will feature 100 paintings inspired by the birth of his grandson and the absence of the aunt he will never know, accompanied by an audio collage of voices reflecting on loss, grief, memory, and love.

Even As We Grieve remains on view at the Crewe Center for the Arts through July 31, 2026, with additional community-centered events scheduled throughout its run. These include an evening focused on recovery and storytelling in collaboration with the Portland Recovery Community Center, as well as a program highlighting voices from justice-impacted communities. You can learn more about these events by visiting bruunstudios.com

At its core, Bruun’s work offers a simple but powerful message: even in grief, we are not alone. Through art, shared stories, and community engagement, Even As We Grieve transforms loss into connection. It reminds us of the quiet strength found in coming together.