An international art and education project that spotlights people born with cleft lip includes portraits of two brothers from Milton, bringing local faces to a touring exhibition that aims to reframe public perceptions about the birth difference.
Portraits part of awareness tour in Atlanta
The portraits are part of "100 Cleft Portraits," a travelling series created by artist Katie Manning. The collection is currently on display at two Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospitals: Arthur M. Blank and Scottish Rite. Manning will formally present the Milton brothers’ portraits to their family on Aug. 8 at Cherokee Town & Country Club in Atlanta.
The tour coincides with National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month, a period dedicated to advocacy and education about cleft lip and related conditions. Organizers say the project pairs visual art with information and support to reduce stigma and increase understanding of treatment pathways.
Local patients and long-term care
The two boys from Milton have been under the care of Dr. Joseph K. Williams, a paediatric plastic surgeon who directs the Children’s Centre for Cleft and Craniofacial Disorders. According to the exhibition’s materials, Manning’s portraits and presentation aim to create visibility for patients while recognising the experiences of families and clinicians involved in care.
"This is a mom who … needed to understand how to deal with that internally, the emotions and guilt that a lot of these families have," said Dr. Williams, speaking about the artist's motivation. "She went back to what was in her core, which is to be an artist."
Williams, who has practised for three decades, told tour organisers that cleft lip is often misunderstood as a catastrophic condition. He noted that while treatment is typically a lengthy, multidisciplinary process, modern surgical care and support make lifelong disability uncommon in many cases.
How the tour connects families, clinicians and the public
Organisers say the portraits — drawn and painted depictions of people born with cleft from around the world — are meant both as celebration and education. The exhibit is sponsored in part by the American Cleft Palate Association and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
- Event: Presentation of portraits to the Milton brothers and family
- Date and time: Aug. 8, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Cherokee Town & Country Club, 155 W. Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta
- Registration: acpacares.org/100-cleft-portraits-tour (advance registration encouraged)
Milton families and community members who are interested in following the project or learning more about cleft care can view information online through the hosts' registration portal. The presentation is part of a broader effort to pair patient stories with public education about what families experience and the supports available.
Local implications and next steps
For Milton, featuring two local children in an international exhibition offers recognition for the families and the clinicians who have supported them. It also raises awareness in the community about the realities of cleft care: multiple procedures, interdisciplinary teams and long-term follow-up are often required, but outcomes have improved with advances in surgical technique and coordinated services.
While the presentation in Atlanta is a milestone for the family, the exhibit's organisers and Dr. Williams emphasise that its larger purpose is to shift public conversation and provide families with visible examples of resilience and recovery. Those interested in attending or learning more should consult the event registration link provided by the American Cleft Palate Association.
