Tell the world about Maladaptive Daydreaming: send us an artwork!

[Valeria Franco]

“The Shapes of Maladaptive Daydreaming”

A maladaptive daydreaming live event will take place in Autumn in Italy:

Tell us about your experience with Maladaptive Daydreaming: write about it, paint it, or draw it.

We need your creative work! Tell the world about maladaptive daydreaming. Make your voice heard. We accept: drawing, painting, digital art, photography, poetry. Have something different in mind? Email us at [e-mail] Submit your artwork by September 21, 2026.

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October 16–23, 2026

An exhibition dedicated to the works of people who live with maladaptive daydreaming: this is the exceptional event that will be held at the University of Psychology of Padua, Italy!

It’s not an art exhibition in the strict sense, but rather an exhibition of creativity. What does that mean? It means that no particular artistic “quality” is required—only the expression of your inner world and your relationship with maladaptive daydreaming.

The exhibition opens on October 16, 2026, and will remain open for two weeks, free of charge. Send us your artwork and take part in this wonderful awareness initiative!

The University of Padua, which has worked with the Italian Association Maladaptive Daydreaming Italia (MD Italia) in the past, has decided to support an event to raise awareness on Maladaptive Daydreaming.

Who’s behind the project?

The initiative is promoted by Valeria Franco (Vice President of  the International Society for Maladaptive Daydreaming and Vice President of MD Italia) and Sara Spisto (Vice President MD Italia) in partnership with Prof. Salcuni and Dr. Elisa Mancinelli of the Department of Developmental and Social Psychology (DPSS) at the University of Padua.

Why is it so important?

“For the first time in history, we are organizing an event of this kind: we have held meetings and conferences before, but never an exhibition. The financial and logistical support provided by the Department of Psychology, Social Sciences and Cognitive Sciences (DPSS) at the prestigious University of Padua — which boasts one of the largest psychology departments in Italy — lends credibility to the initiative, offering a concrete opportunity to promote understanding and raise awareness.

“In a world where people still write to us saying that mental health professionals don’t believe them when they talk about Maladaptive Daydreaming, having the University of Padua on our side is extremely important,” says Valeria Franco.

A Deliberate Choice: An Exhibition

The event is not a symposium or a conference, but rather an exhibition of artistic and creative works, which we anticipate will include painting, drawing, photography, and poetry.

The primary objective of this event is not to provide a comprehensive overview of maladaptive daydreaming, but rather to raise awareness of its existence.

As Valeria Franco asserts, “A concerted focus on the concept of ‘Awareness’ is imperative, as individuals must be cognizant of its existence for them to be able to acquire further knowledge on the subject.”

The idea is that the exhibition is like a seed. We expect to see a lot of future mental health professionals, along with other professionals and interested members of the public at the exhibition. This will create the perfect conditions for the exhibition to take root and grow in the future.

Submit your artwork! Here’s how to do it.

Work specifications

Fixed size: A3 (29.7 x 42 cm) or 35 x 50 cm cardstock

Maximum weight: 300 g

You can submit artwork like drawings, paintings, collages, photographs, and poetry.

*If you want to use a technique that isn’t listed here, please contact us to check that it’s OK.
**You must use our templates for poetry.

Digital art is allowed. We ask you to print the artwork in A3 format and mail it to our address, as we cannot cover printing costs or manage the printing process.

Poetry:
Use one of our templates to layout your poem—this will help keep the exhibition neat and visually appealing.
Print the page on an A3 sheet and mail it to our address (you can have it printed at a local print shop).
We cannot cover printing costs or manage the printing process.
You may submit up to three sheets with the same poem or with different poems.

Registration and participation

• Register online to give us your details and confirm that you have read and agree to the rules.
• Attach the identification tag to the back of your artwork.
• You may submit up to three works, using different techniques if you wish.
• Entries should be submitted to the following address by 21 September 2026 – via Seneca 20, 36071, Arzignano – VI – Italy
• The artist is responsible for any printing and shipping costs.
• Frames are not permitted. If you wish, you may create a paper mount, provided it does not exceed the maximum dimensions.
• Pick-up: Collection will only be possible in person within one week of the exhibition closing. Any works not collected within this timeframe will be considered donated.

Disclaimer: The decision regarding the exhibition of works is at the sole discretion of the Maladaptive Daydreaming Italia Association. This decision may depend on various factors, such as the number of submissions received, how relevant the work is to the theme, and its suitability (works may be excluded if they are deemed offensive, in accordance with the principles set out in our bylaws).

 

Sign up and find the shipping address here