Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation will debut Scar Stories: A Visual Testimony of Sickle Cell Warriors, a new art exhibit that combines photography and personal narratives to illuminate the lived experiences of individuals 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., followed by the official opening on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cayenne Wellness Center Sanctuary and Art Gallery, 216 S. Louise Street, Glendale, California. The exhibit will run through Sunday, December 6, 2026.
Sickle cell disease can cause severe pain, repeated hospitalizations, surgeries, blood transfusions, organ failure, and other serious complications. The physical scars left behind often tell only part of the story; the emotional and personal impact may remain unseen. Scar Stories brings those experiences into view through a powerful collection of portraits by photographer Heather Avant of Artfully Avant, whose striking visual storytelling captures the scars, strength, vulnerability, and resilience of sickle cell warriors. Each portrait is 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 that extends the exhibit through documentary photography and personal narratives. Thanks to Agios Pharmaceuticals, participants featured in the book will receive a complimentary copy. The opening celebration will bring together sickle cell warriors, families, community members, 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.
The exhibit is presented in collaboration with the Sickle Cell Community Consortium (SC3) and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA). Tickets and more information are available at https://scarstoriesexhibit.com. As photographer and warrior Heather Avant 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.'
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 with sickle cell disease through comprehensive care, education, and advocacy. This exhibit underscores the importance of public testimony in advancing health equity and understanding of sickle cell disease.
