Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation will debut Scar Stories: A Visual Testimony of Sickle Cell Warriors, a new art exhibit that seeks to illuminate the profound impact of sickle cell disease through striking portraits and personal narratives. The exhibit opens with a special 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, located at 216 S. Louise Street in Glendale, California. The exhibit will remain on display through Sunday, December 6, 2026.
Sickle cell disease can lead to 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 captured by photographer Heather Avant of Artfully Avant. Her striking visual storytelling brings the scars, strength, vulnerability, and resilience of sickle cell warriors into focus. 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, the 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. Thanks to Agios Pharmaceuticals, participants featured in the book will receive a complimentary copy.
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. A press conference is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PST during the opening celebration.
Tickets and event information are available at https://scarstoriesexhibit.com. In collaboration with the Sickle Cell Community Consortium (SC3) and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA), Scar Stories will remain on display at the Cayenne Wellness Center Art Gallery through December 6, 2026.
Heather Avant, photographer and a warrior herself, stated, "As the photographer and a warrior myself, 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."
Founded in 2000, Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation 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. Cayenne Wellness is rooted in advocacy, health equity, and the empowerment of those most affected by this disease.
