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The MS Plus Virtual Art Show 2025

The MS Plus Virtual Art Show, now in its 19th year, provides people living with neurological conditions an opportunity to express their creativity and their unique experience of MS through art.

This year's art show theme will again align with the World MS Day theme: My MS Diagnosis: Navigating MS Together.

You may choose to submit a piece that represents the story of your diagnosis, how you found supports, what support in those early days looked like for you, how it felt to be diagnosed or really anything you feel portrays your experience living with MS. You are limited only by your imagination!

Applications open Tuesday 1 April.

People living with MS, their carers and those with other progressive neurological conditions are eligible to enter. All types of artworks can be submitted, including paintings, illustrations, sculptures, craft, digital artwork and photography.

Each year one of the artists participating in the MS Virtual Art Show will receive the prestigious Barry Allen Art Award. The late Barry Allen was a man who loved painting and received great comfort from his interest in art and music.

We also have a dedicated prize for carers. Friends, family and carers of people living with MS or other neurological conditions in NSW, ACT, TAS and VIC are welcome to enter.

The full range of awards and prizes on offer include:

  • The Barry Allen Art Award: $350
  • Highly Commended — Painting $100
  • Highly Commended —Drawing/Illustration $100
  • Highly Commended — Sculptural/Craft Artwork: $100
  • Highly Commended — Digital Artwork and Photography: $100
  • Carers Award: $100

Winners and special mentions will be announced on World MS Day Friday 30 May.

Applications will close 5pm, Sunday 4 May

Who is judging the MS Plus Virtual Art Show entries?

Our 2025 entries will be judged by Northern College of the Arts & Technology Program Leader, Tracy Paterson.

Tracy has worked as an art and design educator for post compulsory students at NCAT Folio Preparation for over 15 years. During this time she has taught broadly across the creative arts including in Graphic Design, Photography and Photo-Imaging, Illustration, Visual Arts, Life Drawing, Communications, Visual Literacy, Studio Drawing and Digital Design.

Meet your MS Plus Virtual Art Show winners for 2024....

Check out our Virtual Art Show Gallery for 2024

The complete folio of artworks from all our 2024 entrants are now proudly on display! This year we had 61 talented artists submit 88 pieces of work for you to enjoy.


Watch Deanna Renee, winner of the 2022 Barry Allen Art Award, discuss her artwork:

Previous art shows

2023 MS Virtual Art Show winners

The 2023 art show featured 171 beautiful, skillful works submitted by artists who are living with MS or another neurological condition and carers. The artwork included paintings, illustrations, sculptures, craft, digital artwork and photography.

Each year one artist will receive the prestigious Barry Allen Art Award. The late Barry Allen was a man who loved painting and received great comfort from his interest in art and music.

The virtual award ceremony took place on Tuesday 30 May in recognition of World MS Day.

Congratulations to our talented award winners:

  • This year’s Barry Allen Art Award was presented to Aimee Rowland for 'The Girl I Once Knew.'
  • Highly Commended Paintings/Illustrations awarded to Happy Autumn by Jana Morgan
  • Highly Commended Sculptural/Craft Artwork awarded to The Counsellor by Sally Waterford
  • Highly Commended Digital Artwork and Photography awarded to Distraction by Stephen Ellis
  • Carers Award awarded to Seashore by Anne Fritz

View the full gallery of 2023 Art Show award winners

2022 MS Plus Virtual Art Show award winners

In 2022, we were thrilled to receive 219 wonderfully creative submissions from 109 artists who are living with MS or another neurological condition and carers. The artwork included paintings, illustrations, sculptures, craft, digital artwork and photography.

Following our 16-year tradition, one of the artists participating in the 2022 MS Virtual Art Show won the prestigious Barry Allen Art Award. The late Barry Allen was a man who loved painting and received great comfort from his interest in art and music.

The virtual award ceremony took place on Monday 30 May in recognition of World MS Day. Congratulations to our talented award winners:

  • The Barry Allen Art Award – Circular Blooms by Deanna Renee
  • Highly Commended Paintings/Illustrations – Fragility by Helen Woodbridge
  • Highly Commended Sculptural/Craft Artwork –Together by Sally Waterford
  • Highly Commended Digital Artwork and Photography – Sea Mist over North Uist by Fiona Hall
  • Carers Award – Flourish by Leigh Pearson

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