Create, connect & win

The 2025 Parkinson’s Australia National Conference was a huge success, in no small part thanks to the outstanding participation in our two art programs.

See conference wrap up

NATIO Art Prize

Delegates were given the opportunity to send in entries to the Inaugural Parkinson’s Australia National Conference Art Competition with the theme: Connections. Photos of entries were sent in, allowing entrants to choose whatever medium they preferred. We received sculpture, quilting, painting, drawing and collage. The panel of judges made the difficult decision of shortlisting four of the pieces for display at conference and the first prize for judges choice. Delegates were able to vote at conference for the people’s choice award.

Finalists and Winners

First Prize awarded by the judges was Steve Roper for his painting “From Big Things, Little Things Grow”. The People’s Choice award went to Jayne Arlett for her black and white line drawing entitled “My Magical Garden”. Thanks to everyone that entered.

2025 Parkinsons Australia Conference Art Prize Winner: From Little Things Big Things Grow by S Roper. Painting substantially consisting of orange black and light coloured dots, scribbles and platters.

From Big Things Little Things Grow

S. Roper — Winner

From Big Things Little Things Grow

In my art at the moment I am trying to connect these small marks together to create larger work. That large abstract image is make up of lots of little images.

I hope that people viewing this piece can appreciate or enjoy both the big picture from a distance and the small details up close.

J Arlett – My Magical Garden: Intricate illustration of dozens of flowers in an abstract arc. Black ink linework on white paper.

My Magical Garden

J Arlett — People's Choice

My Magical Garden

As a method of maintaining hand control and dexterity, I decided to start drawing. I enjoy my line art. It requires focus and concentration, in a satisfying way.

Once an ink pen is to paper, there is no going back! So, I aim to operate from the basis of there are “no mistakes in art”.

J Kennedy – Hand-in-Hand: Oil painting on canvas showing two hands holding in front of a beach sunrise.

Hand-in-Hand

J Kennedy

Hand-in-Hand

The artist, a self-taught painter who began creating art during recovery from Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, felt excited to share their work publicly for the first time. Their painting uses intertwined hands to symbolise the vital connections of friendship, professional support, and community in the life of a person with Parkinson’s. They hope viewers recognise these connections and feel a sense of hope and optimism reflected in the forward-facing figures and the light-filled path.

C Bongiorno – Disconnection: A surrealist representation of a sad face in large panels of vibrant colour against black linework.

Disconnection

C Bongiorno

Disconnection

My painting has been an invaluable tool in that it’s enabled me to “let go” of the negativity and put it on the canvas.

Being able to paint what i feel has been a lifesaver for me and helped me to reconnect with “living”.

Collaborative project “Connections 1”

Each artwork tells a story. Crafted with and for people living with Parkinson’s, “Connections I” embodies the spirit of this year’s connection theme, CONNECTIONS. This collaborative art piece was assembled throughout the conference with the input of many conference delegates and speakers, working to create nine tiles of beautiful, multicolored glass.

Created with help from The Glass Hunter, this piece is more than just art—it’s a symbol of resilience, creativity, and the power of human connection.

The stunning glass artwork was awarded to Mr Roper as the winner of the 2025 Parkinson’s Australia Art Prize.

A heartfelt thank you to our generous Art Sponsor Natio (@natioaus) for supporting this meaningful initiative and helping bring this vision to life.

Living with Parkinson’s can be challenging, but it also offers unique opportunities to express strength, creativity, and connection.

You might find that creating art eases your symptoms or that your experience of Parkinson’s leads you to create unique and special artwork.

The Parkinson’s Australia Art Prize & Collaborative Art Glasswork Piece was a chance for delegates attending the Parkinson’s Australia National Conference 2025 to share their journey through art, thanks to Natio.

More than my Parkinson’s

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