At the age of just 15, Courtney Cottle of Point Clare is already a seasoned fundraiser for charitable organisations.
With two sisters on the autism spectrum, she has already raised $3,500 for autism awareness groups through the sale of her own artworks.
And now Courtney has set her sights on boosting funds for Riding for the Disabled and will hold an exhibition and sale at The Entrance next month.
“I’ve been doing exhibitions since third grade, when I held my first and raised $500 for Autism Awareness,” she said.
“I held another one when I was in sixth grade, this time raising more than $3,000 for another autism organisation.
“One of my sisters rides horses at Riding for the Disabled every Tuesday and I decided I wanted to raise some money for them.
“Riding for the Disabled has made the hugest difference in my sister’s life.
“She is so positive, always smiling and beaming.
“I see so many other people having positive experiences there.
“It is a non-profit organisation and every person there a volunteer.”
Courtney’s latest exhibition features artworks in different genres, all centred around relationships.
“The works are about the relationships we have with the with people around us, whether they are friends, family or even strangers,” she said.
“It’s more of an installation of artworks.
“There are three-dimensional sculptures – some coming out of the walls.
“There are works in timber and paper-mache as well as paintings.”
A student at Palm Studios performing arts college, Courtney is involved in every aspect of the arts.
“I would eventually like to open an art/gallery café and start a foundation offering creative grants in a variety of fields including dance and drama,” she said.
“I want to inspire others to get involved.
“My parents have sacrificed a lot for me to pursue my art and I’d like to show others how they can make the arts their career.”
Courtney’s exhibition, Relationships, will be at The Entrance Regional Gallery on the corner of Battley Ave and Oakland Ave from October 7-20.
Terry Collins