IRVINE Dozens gathered at Mason Regional Park on Saturday to paint pieces of what will be an art installment to raise awareness for Parkinson's disease.

The second annual Unity Barbecue featured artist Jack Knight, who will take the pieces of tubing, tiles and canvas and create a piece to hang on the walls of Aliso Viejo-based Parkinson's in Balance.

Visitors are shown a tile to be painted at the 2nd Annual Painting for Parkinson's and Parkinson's Unity BBQ event held at Mason Regional Park in Irvine on Saturday.

STUART PALLEY, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The event drew those affected by the disease and offered an afternoon of escape.

"I try to pick something that is therapeutic," said Allison Conway, founder of Parkinson's in Balance. "I find it so calming to be able to sit here and create something."

Her painted tile read, "I make Parkinson's look good."

This is the second year Conway, 35, has held the Unity Barbecue in an effort to raise awareness for an illness she knows well.

Conway was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease at age 13, colon cancer at age 24 and young onset Parkinson's at age 32.

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Painting in park raises Parkinson's awareness