The exhibition presents 100 portraits of people affected by cleft lip or palate, paired with personal narratives that emphasize individual identity beyond a medical diagnosis. By moving away from a traditional "before-and-after" aesthetic, the project aims to foster a sense of wholeness and community connection. The tour, which debuted in London in 2025, is now moving through the United States with support from organizations including Smile Train, myFace, and Children's Mercy Hospital-Kansas City.
A New Traveling Exhibition Humanizes the Cleft Experience
During Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month this July, the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association is launching the 100 Cleft Portraits Tour. The traveling exhibition, which features the work of UK-based artist Katie Manning, will visit 12 U.S. cities to challenge clinical perceptions of individuals born with facial differences.
Each stop on the tour integrates the portraits with trauma-informed education sessions and creative workshops hosted by ACPA-approved care teams. According to Adam Levy, Executive Director of the ACPA, the initiative serves as a testament to the resilience of a community often defined by surgery rather than personality. The tour schedule begins in Philadelphia on July 28 and concludes in San Diego on August 29, providing families across the country a space to engage with the stories behind the faces.
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