| This exhibit of drawings by children and teenagers with sickle cell disease (SCD), displayed in a hospital cafeteria and published in an art calendar, raised community awareness about the challenges facing children with this chronic, painful, and life-threatening disease----including cognitive, emotional, and social adjustment problems----while highlighting coping skills and resiliency. Using an ecological, constructivist approach, the author presented a multi-faceted portrayal of children's lives with SCD, informed by their artwork, their writing, and their responses, as well as their parents' responses, to questionnaires. After describing the planning of the exhibit, the author focused on protective factors and the public's response. The art product became an instrument for empowering children, raising awareness about SCD, and mobilizing community support.;Keywords: children's art, adolescent art, children's art exhibit, sickle cell disease, children with sickle cell disease, children with chronic diseases, children with chronic illnesses, child emotional health, child social adjustment, art in hospitals. |
