The Keep A Breast Foundation (KAB) is set to present the 2026 High Desert Collection, a unique art exhibition that combines original chest casts of over 30 local community members with artistic transformations to honor the region and stimulate dialogue about breast health and prevention. The collection will open September 18–20, 2026, at the Likker Barn in Pioneertown, California, with an RSVP-required opening reception on Friday and public exhibition hours on Saturday and Sunday.
Founded by Shaney jo Darden and curated by High Desert artist Clair Case, this second edition of the collection pairs each chest cast with an artist who will turn it into a one-of-a-kind work of art. The initiative aims to spark conversations around breast health and prevention, using art as a medium to engage the community in a topic often considered taboo.
Following the initial exhibition, the chest casts will be displayed throughout October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, inside participating businesses along Highway 62. This month-long public art experience coincides with the Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours, providing an opportunity for residents and visitors to encounter the artwork in everyday settings. The exhibition also launches Bucks for Boobies, a community-wide fundraising and awareness campaign that supports breast cancer prevention and Keep A Breast's initiatives.
The Keep A Breast Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has been at the forefront of breast cancer education since 2000, focusing on reaching young people before they become patients. The organization's mission is to reduce breast cancer risk and its impact globally through art, education, prevention, and action. KAB pioneered a youth-centric approach that empowers Gen Alpha, Gen Z, and millennials with prevention-focused information during their teens, 20s, and 30s.
Through programs like the "i love boobies!" bracelet campaign and the Keep A Breast app, the foundation provides accessible, shame-free education about breast self-examination, risk reduction, and environmental health. KAB treats young people as partners in their health, not just future patients, a crucial approach given that breast cancer risk is influenced by lifelong exposures.
The 2026 High Desert Collection underscores the foundation's commitment to using art as a catalyst for change. By involving local community members and artists, the project fosters a sense of ownership and collective responsibility for breast health. The choice of the High Desert region, with its vibrant artistic community, highlights the intersection of creativity and health advocacy.
As the exhibition opens and the Bucks for Boobies campaign launches, the foundation hopes to raise awareness and funds to continue its educational efforts. The public is encouraged to participate by visiting the exhibition, engaging with the art along Highway 62, and supporting the campaign.
For more information about the 2026 High Desert Collection and Keep A Breast Foundation's initiatives, visit the full announcement at Keep A Breast's official page.
