Portland, OR – July 1, 2025 – A powerful new art exhibition opens this month at Vancouver Community Library, featuring 47 original works by artists living with chronic pain conditions. "Illuminating the Invisible: The Beauty Behind the Pain," presented by the Chronic Pain Project, showcases artwork from 14 local artists alongside creators from around the globe, transforming personal experiences of pain into compelling visual narratives that challenge public perceptions of invisible illness.
The exhibition addresses a critical public health issue: chronic pain affects approximately 21% of U.S. adults, with 8% experiencing high-impact chronic pain that limits daily activities. About 83% of people with high-impact chronic pain are unable to work, yet these conditions remain largely misunderstood due to their invisible nature.
"Art has this unique power to make the invisible visible," said Janna Kimel, Executive Director of the Chronic Pain Project and curator of the exhibition. "When someone creates art about their pain experience, they're not just processing their own journey – they're creating a bridge of understanding for others who may never have considered what it's like to live with chronic pain."
The exhibition spans three floors of Vancouver Community Library, with each piece offering intimate insights into conditions ranging from migraine and fibromyalgia to autoimmune disorders and nerve pain. Featured local artists include Molly Bourke, Jenn, Nicholas LaHusen, Kat Cramer, Alexandra Lyon, Alexandria Levin, Justin Carroll, Philip Yassenoff, Janna Kimel, McKenna Marvin, Kelly P, Michelle Vasquez, and Jo G, whose works demonstrate the diversity of both artistic expression and pain experiences within our community.
One standout piece features Jenn's silk-screened dress displaying the countless suggestions people have offered for her migraine relief, alongside the medical labels she's collected over two decades. "I wanted people to see all the words that get put on my experience from the outside," Jenn explains. The front of the dress shows treatment suggestions; the back displays diagnostic labels applied without her input.
Another powerful work comes from Leah, whose self-portrait captures what she describes as being "at a precipice of understanding and knowing the pain I have been in, but understanding I won't stay here." Her layered painting process mirrors the complex journey of healing, with multiple layers of paint representing different emotional stages worked through over several weeks.
Research shows that people living with chronic pain often feel disbelieved by romantic partners, relatives, friends, and even healthcare providers. According to Harvard Medical School, invisible illnesses affect an estimated 10% of the 61 million Americans who have conditions that limit their movement or senses, yet only about 6% of people with disabilities use visible supports like wheelchairs or canes.
"There's this assumption that if you look fine, you are fine," noted one participant during the research process that informed this exhibition. "These frustrations have been buzzing around in my brain and body for over 20 years, and it felt really good to just get it out through art."
The exhibition serves multiple purposes: providing therapeutic expression for artists, educating the public about chronic pain realities, and fostering community among those who share similar experiences. Chronic pain costs as much as $635 billion yearly in direct health care costs, lost productivity, and disability payments, making public awareness crucial for both individual support and policy change.
"Illuminating the Invisible" will remain on display through the end of August, offering visitors an opportunity to experience chronic pain through the eyes of those who live with it daily. The exhibition includes artist statements, educational materials about various chronic pain conditions, and resources for visitors seeking support or information.
The Chronic Pain Project, founded just over a year ago, is the first nonprofit organization dedicated specifically to amplifying the voices of people living with chronic pain through artistic expression and community building.
Exhibition Details:

What: "Illuminating the Invisible: The Beauty Behind the Pain"
Where: Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St, Vancouver, WA 98660
When: July 1 through August 30, 2025
Admission: Free and open to the public
Hours: Tuesday 9 AM–7 PM, Wednesday 9 AM–7 PM, Thursday 9 AM–7 PM, Friday 10 AM–6 PM, Saturday 10 AM–6 PM, Sunday 10 AM–6 PM, Monday 10 AM–6 PM

For more information about the exhibition, the Chronic Pain Project, or to schedule interviews with artists or organizers, contact Janna Kimel at 503.200.0099 or [email protected].
About the Chronic Pain Project
The Chronic Pain Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing visibility to the experiences of people living with chronic pain through art, storytelling, and community building. Founded in 2024, the organization provides platforms for artistic expression while educating the public about the realities of invisible illness.