Terreon Collins Opens Sickle Cell Exhibit in Chicago

North Lawndale artist Terreon Collins uses multimedia art to highlight his experience with sickle cell anemia.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in African-American

Terreon Collins Opens Sickle Cell Exhibit in Chicago

Live Poll

Do you find local art exhibits effective for raising awareness about chronic health conditions?

North Lawndale resident Terreon Collins has opened a new exhibit at the Lawndale Pop-Up Spot that features paintings, mannequins, and audio recordings to raise awareness about sickle cell disease. The exhibit aims to humanize the artist's personal struggles with the condition.

Why it matters

The exhibit provides a visceral look at sickle cell anemia, a condition that disrupts oxygen transport throughout the body, to help bring greater public understanding to the disease. It aims to bridge the gap between abstract medical statistics and the human reality of living with chronic illness.

The exhibit is located at 3601 W. Douglas Blvd. and highlights a disease that affects over 20 million people globally.

The players

Terreon Collins

He is a 25-year-old artist and North Lawndale resident who uses multimedia installations to represent his personal experience with sickle cell anemia.

Lawndale Pop-Up Spot

Established in 2016, this local venue serves as a community-based space for artistic expression and events at 3601 W. Douglas Blvd.

The details

Artist Terreon Collins uses shipping containers, horror-inspired themes, and repurposed hospital gowns to simulate the experience of undergoing blood transfusions. The space also features red fabric and audio effects to create the sensation of being inside human blood vessels.

2016: Lawndale Pop-Up Spot was founded.
Late 2025: Artist experienced a severe sickle cell crisis.
October 2026: Exhibit is on display.
October 31, 2026: Exhibit ends.

Culture Shift

This exhibit follows the pattern set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's health communication initiatives by using personal narrative to translate complex medical data into an accessible format for the local community.

Residents in North Lawndale can visit the exhibit at the Lawndale Pop-Up Spot through the end of October to engage with the artist's work. The project serves as an educational resource for those looking to better understand the realities of sickle cell disease.

The takeaway

Artistic installations can serve as powerful tools for raising awareness about chronic illnesses within underserved communities. Visitors are encouraged to explore the exhibit to gain a firsthand perspective on how creative expression can humanize complex health struggles.