Put Your Best Artwork Forward With MSAA’s Art Showcase

By Multiple Sclerosis Association of America - MSAA

1 min read

Collage of artwork from artists with MS in the MSAA Art Showcase

Get your art materials ready! The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is now accepting submissions for the 2023–2024 Art Showcase! Since 2009, MSAA has held an annual Art Showcase providing individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis the opportunity to create, submit, and have their artwork presented among peers in the MS community. We have been honored to witness such beautiful and creative artwork including paintings, drawings, and photography. Take a look at our current Art Showcase here!

The benefits of art for MS

There are countless benefits to art including relieving stress, self-expression, and improving mental health. Art therapy is especially beneficial to those with MS as it may physically calm the body and decrease feelings of anxiety and depression. Art provides expression in a more personable manner – allowing unspeakable feelings to have a voice of their own. You do not have to be a professional to create something inspirational!

Our upcoming 2023-2024 Art Showcase will launch in March 2023, in recognition of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month. As part of our ongoing efforts to celebrate the work of artists affected by MS, pieces are also highlighted in MSAA’s Artist of the Month emails and social media.

How to apply

Our 2023-2024 Art Showcase call for submission process has begun, and we are now accepting submissions until January 6, 2023! Artists can submit up to three pieces of their artwork electronically. Please note that any physical artwork pieces cannot be accepted.

To enter, you must have a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and provide a copy of a doctor’s verification of your diagnosis. Participants must be 18 years of age or older as of the date of entry and must be a legal resident of the United States. All participants must also submit a signed release form, which can be completed online or printed and mailed.

We are excited to see your artwork! Begin your submission process here!

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The MultipleSclerosis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Kim Dolce Moderator & Contributor
I've seen some stunning work from these chronicartists! Great program. Looking forward to seeing the finalists' pieces next year.
MsConnie Member
I think this is a awesome program... I have submitted a few myself before I highly recommend Art's are fuel for the soul of Both creater and observer a picture can paint 1000's of words
1. Erin Rush Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="MsConnie" user-id="4210408"/>, thanks for the plug for the program! I am not very artistically talented, in the conventional sense, but I love looking at art and I am constantly amazed at what people can create! Best, Erin, <a href='http://MultipleSclerosis.net' target='_blank'>MultipleSclerosis.net</a> Team Member.
MsConnie Member
I found mine... Wow I didn't realize it had been that many years ago... 2011 ... For those newly diagnosed ... Please don't let the information over load get you down I had already had more than a decade behind me and finally told my kids only because memory issues were hurting them... My intention for first decade was hide it from all but doctor ... Unless there was a need for a test dummy to prove a cure...
1. Lori Foster Member
 It must be so cool to look back on those submissions, <inline-mention username="MsConnie" user-id="4210408"/>. Do you still enjoy creating art? How did your kids react to your diagnosis? I am glad you finally told them. My father didn't know he had MS until I was an adult, but if we had known sooner, it would have explained so much and prevented a lot of family tension. Thinking of you and wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member)
MsConnie Member
Lori Foster thank you... I will be apologizing to my adult children this evening... love the Art's... However I am not currently actively creating... With any medium that either could makes a permanent mess...or cut myself deep... That is most likely what's missing in my soul... Looking back ... I should have probably just have been 💯 upfront openly honest... At the time I believed that I was protecting them, ( from something I myself had not fully processed)... Not lying but shielding... My oldest pointed out that a 🤥 by omittion can be just as wrong... and even more damaging in the end... He is right... There is nothing you can not get through if you are 💯 open and honest upfront with the facts... Together all things are possible... To be 💯 honest I am still a work in progress, I am a bit to Head Strong stubbornly independent for my own good most days... I now catch myself most of the time... (The Angle Devil on one shoulder)... One softly says be 💯 open honest about all, So they can deal with what is... Not imagining the worst...( Which is what happens to those who love us once the Trust gets broken intentionally, or unintentionally with the best intentions.) The Devil shoulder is meanwhile screaming, all I have left is my pride... I refuse to let you let go of that... We are going to be fine... You say what's really going on all you will achieve is a Pityparty you hate those... Lori Full disclosure I'm not sure what the 💯 right answer is but your side does make me think 🤔 ... I am a full believer that 💯 open and honest is always the best policy about every other aspect of life... But when it comes to this MS battle...some lines blur... ( I look at it differently than most maybe, I kinda see it as a part of beating on myself) A battle from within which in itself is scary cause I know just how tuff I am... I can beat this... If I can just stay focused and determined, it can't truly hurt me as long as I refuse to let it... The practical me says we all need help sometimes, the real strength is being able to see and admit it when we do... I suppose to completely answer this comment/novel would become a trilogy... I screwed up, ment well but screwed up... I know cannot answer for them... Because we are all now holding back... (stuffing the pressure cooker) thinking we are protecting each other... To all newly diagnosed, I now think differently and realize the full impact and outcome of what I already knew... "Oh what a tangled web we can weave when first we practice to deceive" even with the best of intentions... It's probably much Better to have them know you have MS then wonder and assume something worse... 
1. Lori Foster Member
 Hi <inline-mention username="MsConnie" user-id="4210408"/>. It's good that you can look back and realize you should have told them sooner, but chronic illness doesn't come with a mental health guide book. You did what you felt was right at the time while probably also dealing with depression and denial. You don't need to beat yourself up over that decision now. Now, is the time to move forward, not dwell on the past. Here is a wonderful article about the emotional rollercoaster of a diagnosis that might help: <a href='https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/emotional-diagnosis-part-1' target='_blank'>https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/emotional-diagnosis-part-1</a>. Being open and honest does not have to lead to pity. It can lead to productive discussions at to what to do next or how to handle a new disability. It can mean support when you need it most. We have lots of articles here for caregivers and loved ones. Here is one about what to say to people who have MS that might interest your family: <a href='https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/what-people-should-say-to-someone-living-with-multiple-sclerosis' target='_blank'>https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/what-people-should-say-to-someone-living-with-multiple-sclerosis</a>. Please feel free to share any articles that might be helpful. In time, the fact that you have MS will become the new normal. It will be less scary for them and for you. Please know we are here for you whenever you need us. Gentle hugs. - Lori (Team Member)

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