Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation will debut Scar Stories: A Visual Testimony of Sickle Cell Warriors, an art exhibit that brings to light the often-hidden physical and emotional scars of individuals living with sickle cell disease. The exhibit begins with an opening celebration on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., followed by the official opening on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. The exhibit will be housed at the Cayenne Wellness Center Sanctuary and Art Gallery, located at 216 S. Louise Street in Glendale, California, and will remain on display through Sunday, December 6, 2026.
Sickle cell disease is a serious genetic blood disorder that can lead to severe pain, repeated hospitalizations, surgeries, blood transfusions, organ failure, and other complications. The physical scars left behind often tell only part of the story; the emotional and personal impact may remain unseen. Scar Stories aims to bring those experiences into view through a powerful collection of portraits captured by photographer Heather Avant of Artfully Avant. Avant, who is also a sickle cell warrior herself, uses striking visual storytelling to capture the scars, strength, vulnerability, and resilience of sickle cell warriors. Through her lens, each portrait becomes more than an image; it becomes a testimony to survival, identity, trauma, triumph, and healing.
The portraits are paired with deeply personal narratives from participating sickle cell warriors, curated by Dr. Patrise Holden of The Language Key. These narratives invite the public to look beyond the physical scars and witness the lived experiences behind them. Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase a companion book of over 200 pages, which extends the exhibit through documentary photography and personal narratives that explore the many ways sickle cell disease touches lives. Thanks to Agios Pharmaceuticals, participants featured in the book will receive a complimentary copy.
Scar Stories is more than an art exhibit; it is a public testimony. The opening celebration will bring together sickle cell warriors and their families, community members, health equity advocates, healthcare professionals, elected officials, and supporters for an evening of art, reflection, live music, food, and meaningful 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.
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 can be found at https://scarstoriesexhibit.com. Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation, founded in 2000, is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to improving the lives of individuals living with sickle cell disease. The organization provides expert, unbiased, and comprehensive care while promoting education for healthcare providers, patients, and the broader community.
As Heather Avant, the photographer and a 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 and Children's Foundation, 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."
The exhibit runs from August 1 to December 6, 2026, at the Cayenne Wellness Center Art Gallery in Glendale. For more information, visit https://cayennewellness.org.
