About the Artist: Hidden in Color, by Isabella Sammut

This month’s issue features art from Isabella Sammut, a 17-year-old high school senior from Cincinnati, Ohio. Isabella developed chronic daily migraine at age 13, and since then she has lived in near constant pain. Her experiences with childhood chronic pain have led Isabella to struggle with stigma, guilt, and self-identity, inspiring her to create art. Isabella often depicts herself as the subject of her paintings, expressing her experiences living with the physical symptoms and mental aspects of migraine.

Isabella has been recognized in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, receiving a gold key (2025), a silver key (2026), and an honorable mention (2024). In 2025, her work was exhibited on the National Mall in Washington, DC as part of a flag installation raising awareness for headache disorders; in Miami, FL as part of a migraine awareness event; and in the Museum of Conteporary Art in Denver, CO as part of an exhibition on teenage mental health.

Isabella is an advocate for the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy (ADHA) and plans to continue her advocacy and art career at Loyola University Chicago in Chicago, IL as she pursues higher education in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience.

“I want to raise awareness for headache disorders through my artwork and advocate for more research for better treatments,” said Isabella. “Most importantly, I hope kids with migraine can recognize their own experiences in my art and feel less alone.”

You can see more of Isabella’s work on her Instagram page, @isabella.sammut.art.