Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation will debut Scar Stories: A Visual Testimony of Sickle Cell Warriors, a new art exhibit that pairs striking photographic portraits with deeply personal narratives to illuminate the lived experiences of individuals with sickle cell disease. 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. The exhibit will be housed at the Cayenne Wellness Center Sanctuary and Art Gallery at 216 S. Louise Street in Glendale, California, and will remain on display through December 6, 2026.
Sickle cell disease causes severe pain, repeated hospitalizations, surgeries, blood transfusions, and organ failure, leaving both physical and emotional scars. Scar Stories brings these experiences into public view through a powerful collection of portraits by photographer Heather Avant of Artfully Avant, whose work captures the scars, strength, vulnerability, and resilience of sickle cell warriors. Each portrait serves as a testimony to survival, identity, trauma, triumph, and healing. The portraits are accompanied by narratives curated by Dr. Patrise Holden of The Language Key, inviting the public to look beyond the physical scars and witness the stories behind them.
A companion book, spanning over 200 pages, extends the exhibit through documentary photography and personal narratives. Thanks to Agios Pharmaceuticals, featured participants will receive a complimentary copy. The opening celebration will include a press conference at 6:30 p.m. and will bring together warriors, families, health equity advocates, healthcare professionals, elected officials, and community members for an evening of art, reflection, live music, food, and 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.
Heather Avant, a sickle cell 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, 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 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. Cayenne Wellness Center, founded in 2000, is a California-based nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of those with sickle cell disease through comprehensive care, education, advocacy, and health equity.
