Art as connection: How Ari and Jade share creativity and care

For as long as nine-year-old Ari can remember, art has been an important part of his life.

“My nan’s an artist, she makes art of kookaburras and ibises and stuff, and she teaches other people art. Also, my pa’s a musician, so I’ve always liked art and making stuff,” he says.

So last year, Ari’s mum Jade encouraged him to enter MS Plus’ Virtual Art Show, which celebrates a range of visual art, including paintings, illustrations, sculptures, craft, digital artwork and photography. There is an awards category open to carers of people living with multiple sclerosis or other neuro conditions, and Jade reminded Ari of the importance of his care for her through her own health issues.

“I had to give up my work a few years ago because of my health, and last year was a hard year for me, where Ari did a lot of caring for me. He spent a lot of time helping me carry things because I was walking the whole year with sticks, and he always took his time when I needed to go slowly," she says.

“And I said to him ‘Ari, just because you’re eight, it doesn’t mean you aren’t a carer.’ He sort of ummed and ahhed and I said to him ‘you’ve got to be in it to win it.’

“Ari does pretty much all of his artwork on the go in nature. It’s really lovely and special, how he always connects to nature.”

Ari made a plasticine sea monster to represent some of his passions.

“I love swimming and the water and basically all types of nature stuff. I entered it in the competition and to be honest I did not think I would win, I thought there would be millions of people that are way better than me," he says.

Ari was thrilled when he was contacted to let him know that his Sea Monster received a Special Mention in the Carers Award category.

“We were all very proud just that he entered the awards and incredibly happy about him getting a special mention. Ari had an art pack sent out to him and he used all of that, and he was really encouraged to keep going,” says Jade.

Significantly, Ari and Jade’s stories also led to the introduction of a new prize in this year’s Virtual Art Show – the Youth Award for young people aged 17 years and under who have a parent, grandparent or guardian living with MS or another neurological condition in NSW, ACT, TAS and VIC.

Ari and Jade are thrilled that his experience has opened the door for other young people to express themselves through art.

“Ari’s nan always taught us that art should be about having fun, and that there’s no right way and no wrong way to do anything. Whatever you want to share, whatever’s in your brain… you can do that with art.” 

To see the incredible creativity and stories shared by artists in the 2026 MS Plus Virtual Art Show, visit the website to explore the gallery of entrants.