The Maryland RARE Collection

This collection of portraits of children from the rare disease community was orignally curated from the Beyond the Diagnosis organization collection, a nonprofit that unites art and science by commissioning fine-art portraits of children with rare and life-altering diseases.

The Maryland RARE includes one child from Maryland, one from Deleware and 2 from Virginia. 

As part of a mulit-state initiative coordinated throught The State Zebra Network, an agile network of stakeholders, state coalitions, and advocacy groups dedicated to state-level rare disease policy activation and protecting policies that benefit the rare disease community.

The objective was to raise awareness for Newborn Screening Awareness month in Septmenber 2026. Based on the positive response, we have decided to continue to make this collection available for additional exhibiting opportunities  related to amplifying rare disease awarness.

Exhibiting the beautiful artistry, varied techniques and styles, illustrates the diversity and complexity of the children who's lives are directly impacted by rare diseases. 

These are the faces of rare.