Art with heart

BRIGHT, bold and full of personality, an art exhibition in Torquay this weekend will bring to life a world of colourful faces and cartoon-style creativity.

All Aboard disABILITY Support Services will throw open its doors tomorrow (Saturday, October 18) to showcase the work of emerging artist Liam O’Neil.

O’Neil has been hard at work for months preparing for the exhibition and will have about 60 pieces on display, all available for purchase.

The show will run from 10am until 2pm, with O’Neil scheduled to deliver an official welcome at 10.30am, where he will share more about his history and passion for art.

All Aboard operations manager Hannah Mattingley said the exhibition offered an opportunity to both bring more awareness to O’Neil’s talent and support him as he continues to hone his craft.

“I wish people knew how keen Liam is to share his talent,” she said. “The detail and care he puts into it is second to none.

“It’s just an amazing opportunity for him to also try and fund his passion for art and get an income stream and support him in saving for some goals he’s got coming up.”

O’Neil was diagnosed with autism at the age of three and has been a participant with All Aboard for about a year.

“He just fit right in and really thrived. He’s made some beautiful friends, he’s come on a few camps, and we just really appreciate him and his talent,” Mattingley said.

All Aboard’s new inclusive cafe, Tori’s Place, will be open with hot drinks and slices on offer, and raffle tickets, supporting the not-for-profit organisation’s work, will be available.

“It includes [the chance to win] one of Liam’s original artworks,” Mattingley said.

“He’s a very, very kind human and offered to donate the profits from the raffle back to us. I think that says a lot about his heart.”

Entry is by gold coin donation.

All Aboard disABILITY Support Services is at 35 Boston Road, Torquay.