The World Parkinson Congress (WPC) was an educational and scientific symposium held in Washington DC, in February of 2006.  This gathering was the first of its kind, bringing together national organizations, doctors, researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers.  A small but key component of the WPC was the “Creativity and Parkinson’s” Exhibition – a hugely popular display featuring the artwork of people with Parkinson’s disease.  Much more than just paintings, though, the “Creativity and Parkinson’s” Exhibition featured art in a variety on mediums, including poetry, sculpting, dancing, jewelry-making, and photography.

The exhibition was the inspiration of PDF’s then-Director of Research and External Programs, Ms. Sharon Stone.  It was Sharon’s desire to keep the artwork alive after the WPC, so that many more people could enjoy and appreciate it.  It was also her goal that others with PD might gain some inspiration from the artwork, and perhaps realize that there is still much living to do after a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. 

So, as an extension of the “Creativity and Parkinson’s” Exhibition, PDCreativity.org was launched in May 2006.  Originally featuring the work of the artists at the WPC, the website continues to grow as new artists submit their artwork for display.  PDCreativity.org now features over 220 artists from 14 countries, with artwork in 10 different mediums.  The scope of the website has also grown, and now includes an “Information Exchange” which features a broad variety of helpful information (click on the “Information Exchange” tab at the top of the page to learn more).

The following people made up the 2006 WPC Program Sub-Committee on Creativity and Parkinson’s and we thank them for their help in bringing the “Creativity and Parkinson’s” Exhibition to fruition:

                               Oliver Sacks, MD, Honorary Chair
                               Sharon Stone, Chair
                               David Aigner
                               Mary Baker, MBE
                               Karen Boyar, RN
                               Lucien Cote, MD
                               Steven Frucht, MD
                               Lizzie Graham
                               Ruth Hagestuen, RN
                               Marti Haykin, MD
                               David Hardesty, MD
                               Sharon Klein
                               Isobel Robins Konecky
                               Arlene Levine
                               Ann Loeb
                               Marshall Loeb
                               Sheree Loftus, PhD
                               Melanie Maar
                               Laura Marsh, MD
                               Michael Pourfar, MD
                               Elizabeth Schaaf
                               Michele Torrecilla
                               Bonnie Wang
                               Jane Baum Wachsler
                               Peggy Willocks