Artists Against Drunk Driving is an idea born in Aztec artist Nikki Smith.  Her goal is enlist the help of other portrait artists, and to create a portrait of every victim of a drunk driver killed in the state of New Mexico plus Durango, Colorado, from January, 2006, and to have these portraits on display in several public venues for one year, at which time they will be rotated out of the showing and presented to the family, free of charge.

Nikki hopes to increase awareness of the critical problem posed by drunk drivers in our state, and to personalize this problem by putting a very public face on the victims.  Nikki hopes to bring home the fact that “These are your children, your moms and dads, your husbands and wives, and every time you get behind the wheel when you’re drunk, you’re putting them at risk.”

Future plans include rotating displays and tours of portraits throughout the state and the hanging of portraits in the New Mexico State Round House during Legislative sessions.  Eventually the organization will become national and a chapter will be created in each state.