HANOVER, Md. — The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc., a national nonprofit membership organization that advocates for people affected by sickle cell disease, will present a four-day exhibit of rarely seen artwork by the late Hertz “Naz” Nazaire at theNod to Naz Traveling Exhibit: A Tribute to Artist Hertz Nazairein Torrance, California.

–High-resolution images available online.

The exhibit will be open Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. PDT and Sept. 19 through Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PDT during Cayenne Wellness Center’s Annual Sickle Cell Disease Educational Summit at the Torrance Marriott, 3635 Fashion Way, Torrance, California. The exhibit is funded by Agios and supported by Vertex.

“SCDAA is proud to be displaying a retrospective of Hertz Nazaire’s work and honoring his impact on our community,” said Regina Hartfield, president and CEO of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc. “Naz’s painfully beautiful pieces capture the struggles people living with sickle cell experience and help people who do not have sickle cell disease understand what it means to be a sickle cell warrior.”

Known for his advocacy work and “Finding Your Colors” adult coloring book series, Nazaire created mixed-media visual art reflective of his personal experiences with pain and sickle cell disease.

He said, “Every time you have a chance to speak, every time you have a chance to paint, you feel this huge responsibility that you have to say something about the injustice that comes with living with a disease that is part of your DNA.”

Nazaire immigrated from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, when he was 8 years old and credited his childhood in Haiti for inspiring his use of vibrant colors. Nazaire began painting in New York City, where he lived with his mother before moving to Bridgeport, Connecticut. He studied art at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and University of Bridgeport. Nazaire died of sickle cell-related complications in 2021.

To learn more and register for the Nod to Naz art exhibit, visitbit.ly/NodtoNazCA.

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Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disease causing red blood cells to take a sickle shape, which leads to blockages that prevent blood from reaching parts of the body. As a result, people with sickle cell complications can experience anemia, jaundice, gallstones, stroke, chronic pain, organ damage and premature death. No universal cure exists.

Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc. advocates for people affected by sickle cell conditions and empowers community-based organizations to maximize quality of life and raise public consciousness while advancing the search for a universal cure. The association and more than 50 member organizations support sickle cell research, public and professional health education and patient and community services.(www.sicklecelldisease.org)

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