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The sixth annual Expressions of Courage(R) national art contest, sponsoredby ORTHO-McNEIL NEUROLOGICS(R), Division of Ortho-McNeil-JanssenPharmaceuticals, Inc, in partnership with the Epilepsy Foundation, providespeople with epilepsy the opportunity to showcase their talents and theirperspectives of the world around them through art. In addition, the contesthelps raise awareness of epilepsy and eliminate the stigma often associatedwith the condition -- as epilepsy does not define who people are, it is simplya condition they live with.
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The contest kicked off at the National Walk for Epilepsy on March 29 inWashington, D.C., and is open through July 16, 2008, to all Americansdiagnosed with epilepsy. A panel of epilepsy advocates and art industryrepresentatives will serve as contest judges and will announce the winningartwork in September. Winning entries will be selected based on creativity andthe ability to demonstrate feelings of living with epilepsy through art.
"By participating in the Expressions of Courage art contest, Carly is ableto pursue her love of arts and crafts while gaining a sense of satisfactionand pride that she doesn't easily find in many activities," explained KellyRichards of Westmont, Ill., mother of a past contest winner. "The contest is ameaningful and positive experience for Carly, and she looks forward tocreating her entry each year."
Artwork may be created in ink, pencil, crayon, paint or a combination ofthese materials and must be on paper or board no larger than 8 1/2 by 11inches. Multiple pieces of artwork will be accepted. Entry forms should bedownloaded from the contest Web site, http://www.expressionsofcourage.com, andmailed to: Expressions of Courage, c/o ORTHO-McNEIL NEUROLOGICS, 389 PittstownRoad, Pittstown, NJ 08867. Contest entries will be categorized into three agegroups: children ages 12 years old and younger; teens age 13 to 17; and adults18 years of age and older.
Winning artwork will be featured on the contest Web site and either in2009 calendars or coffee table books available in local Epilepsy Foundationoffices and select physician offices nationwide. Also, a few winning piecesmay be chosen by curators from the Society for the Arts in Healthcare fordisplay in a traveling art exhibition comprised of nearly 30 winning entriesfrom the past five contests. The exhibition aims to enhance public awarenessof epilepsy by traveling to medical centers across the nation. The artwork isaccompanied by the artists' stories of how epilepsy has impacted their livesin various ways. Visit the contest Web site to learn more about theexhibition and find an exhibition location near you.
"The people who participate in the Expressions of Courage contest areadvocates for increasing awareness about epilepsy, in that they creatively usetheir talents and selflessly share their personal feelings for the benefit ofeducating others," said Eric R. Hargis, president and CEO of the EpilepsyFoundation. "We recognize their bravery, appreciate their unique and beautifulartwork, and hope that other people are inspired to speak out about their ownexperiences of living with epilepsy."
Epilepsy is one of the most common disorders of the nervous system,affecting approximately 50 million people worldwide with as many as 200,000Americans diagnosed for the first time each year. Epilepsy produces seizures,which happen when a brief, strong surge of electrical activity affects part orall of the brain. The condition can develop at any time in life, but there isa particular susce
