Get your purple paint ready. Students are being asked to let their imagination run wild and create artwork using the colour purple to win prizes and help raise awareness of epilepsy.
The contest is open to all York students. Entries are to be submitted by Monday, March 25, from 11am to 5pm, to Winters College Council Office, 003 Winters College, Keele campus. The art competition is a collaboration between Epilepsy Toronto, the Student Association of Health Management, Policy & Informatics and Winters College Council at York University.
The artwork will be on display in Vari Hall Monday, March 25, from 11am to 3pm, to celebrate Purple Day – an international grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide. 
March 26 is now officially recognized by law as Purple Day for epilepsy awareness in Canada, so don’t forget to wear purple.
Left and below, students get into the spirit of Purple Day at last year’s event in Vari Hall
Students can vote for their favourite pieces of art. A panel of judges from Winters College will then choose the winning three artworks out of the top five student-selected pieces.
The predominant colour in the art must be the colour purple, with a maximum canvas size of 3 by 3 ft. The winning submissions will also be showcased in August at the annual Scotiabank Busker Ball in support of Epilepsy Toronto.
While in Vari Hall, take part in the some of the fun and educational games geared at raising awareness of epilepsy, and win prizes. There will be a host of games, including epilepsy jeopardy, spin-the-wheel, ping pong, a seizure tile puzzle and a dartboard game.
“The goal of this event is to educate students about epilepsy in a fun and interactive way,” says Leah 
Sultan-Khan, director of Public Education & Diversity Outreach at Epilepsy Toronto.
Make purple origami flowers or enjoy the bake sale, popcorn and cotton candy. Students can also leave inspirational messages on cutouts of brains to support people living with epilepsy.
“Last year, students wrote some really touching messages, which were later displayed on the office walls of Epilepsy Toronto for everyone to see. Their comments reflected their level of understanding, empathy and empowerment to educate their peers, family and community about this neurological condition,” says Sultan-Khan.
To learn more about epilepsy, visit the Epilepsy Toronto website. For more information about the art competition or Purple Day, contact Leah Sultan-Khan at leahsk@epilepsytoronto.org.