Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital to Host Mountain West Stop of ‘100 Cleft Portraits’ Tour – Free National Traveling Art Exhibit Open to Public
Salt Lake City, UT (PRUnderground) July 24th, 2026
Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital is hosting the Mountain West stop of the 100 Cleft Portraits Tour, a powerful national traveling art exhibition that shares the stories and experiences of individuals affected by cleft lip and palate through portraiture, storytelling, and community engagement.
The free art exhibit will be held at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art on Saturday, August 1, from 4-8 pm, and on Sunday, August 2, from 2-6 pm (20 S West Temple, Salt Lake City).
Through art, education, and connection, this national travelling exhibit features the stories, strength, and resilience of individuals and families affected by cleft lip and palate, a common congenital birth defects that occur when a baby’s lip or roof of the mouth do not fuse properly during pregnancy.
In addition to viewing the portraits, visitors will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities designed to inspire reflection and engagement.
The 100 Cleft Portraits Tour exhibit aims to raise awareness of cleft lip and palate, celebrate the individuals and families impacted by these conditions, and highlight the healthcare resources available throughout the region.
“The 100 Cleft Portraits Tour provides an inspiring platform to celebrate the beauty, courage, and individuality of people affected by cleft lip and palate,” said Dana Johns, MD, a University of Utah Health plastic surgeon and medical director of the Intermountain Primary Children’s Cleft and Craniofacial Program. “We are honored to bring this meaningful exhibition to Utah and create opportunities for families, healthcare providers, and community members to come together in support, understanding, and connection.”
Created by Katie Manning, a UK-based artist, advocate, and trauma-informed coach, the exhibition features 100 striking portraits paired with personal stories from members of the cleft community.
Together, the portraits offer a moving look at the strength, resilience, and unique journeys of children and adults living with cleft conditions.
Manning will also present Trauma-Informed Essentials, a workshop that draws on her lived experience and the personal stories that inspired the collection. Children attending the event can also participate in an interactive art room, where they will create and display self-portraits celebrating their own identities and creativity.
“Every portrait in this collection tells a story,” Manning said. “My hope is that these images help people see beyond a diagnosis and recognize the individuality, resilience, and humanity of every person represented.”
The Intermountain Primary Children’s Cleft and Craniofacial Program, in partnership with University of Utah Health, is one of the premier programs in the nation providing treatment and support for patients with cleft lip and palate and their families.
About Intermountain Health
Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a nonprofit system of 34 hospitals, approximately 400 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a nonprofit health plan called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For up-to-date information and announcements, please see the Intermountain Health newsroom at https://news.intermountainhealth.org/. For more information, see intermountainhealth.org/ or call 801-442-2000.
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