Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation will debut Scar Stories: A Visual Testimony of Sickle Cell Warriors, an art exhibit that pairs striking portraits with personal narratives to illuminate the hidden struggles of those living with sickle cell disease. The exhibit opens with a celebration on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Cayenne Wellness Center Sanctuary and Art Gallery, 216 S. Louise Street in Glendale, California. The official exhibit runs from Saturday, August 1, 2026, through Sunday, December 6, 2026.
Sickle cell disease causes severe pain, repeated hospitalizations, surgeries, blood transfusions, organ failure, and other serious complications. While physical scars are visible, the emotional and personal impact often remains unseen. Scar Stories brings those experiences into view through a powerful collection of portraits by photographer Heather Avant of Artfully Avant. Her visual storytelling captures the scars, strength, vulnerability, and resilience of sickle cell warriors, turning each portrait into a testimony of survival, identity, trauma, triumph, and healing.
The portraits are paired with deeply personal narratives curated by Dr. Patrise Holden of The Language Key, inviting the public to look beyond the physical scars and witness the lived experiences behind them. Attendees can also purchase a companion book extending the exhibit through documentary photography and personal narratives. Thanks to Agios Pharmaceuticals, featured participants receive a complimentary copy.
Scar Stories is more than an art exhibit; it is a public testimony. The opening celebration will bring together warriors, families, health equity advocates, healthcare professionals, elected officials, and supporters for an evening of art, reflection, live music, food, and community connection. Invited speakers include Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, Mayor Barbara Lee of Oakland, Assembly Member Mike Gipson, Assembly Member Nick Schultz, and Mayor Ardy Kassakhian of Glendale.
As Heather Avant, photographer and warrior herself, stated, "Scar Stories is a true visualization of the aftermath of sickle cell disease on the human body. As warriors, we bear the scars of battle." Dr. Carolyn Rowley, Executive Director of Cayenne Wellness Center, added, "By documenting the physical scars and personal narratives of individuals living with sickle cell disease, this project transforms what is often hidden into a powerful visual testimony of survival, resilience, and strength."
Founded in 2000, Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation is a California-based nonprofit committed to improving the lives of those with sickle cell disease. The organization provides comprehensive care and promotes education for healthcare providers, patients, and the community, rooted in advocacy and health equity. The exhibit is presented in collaboration with the Sickle Cell Community Consortium (SC3) and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA). Tickets and event information are available at https://scarstoriesexhibit.com. For more about Cayenne Wellness Center, visit CayenneWellness.org.
