Amberley Bradley is thrilled to get her portraiture business off the ground.
Camera IconAmberley Bradley is thrilled to get her portraiture business off the ground. Credit: Supplied/Bruce Hunt d472817

Lesmurdie teen artist gets big break thanks to YMCA HQ competition

Sarah BrookesHills Avon Valley Gazette

AN oil paint portraiture business has been brought to life by a visionary 18-year-old from Lesmurdie, with the help of an industry mentor and YMCA HQ’s Pitch Please! competition.

The Pitch Please! competition offered a $1000 business boost to a creative young person, as well as one year’s free use of the new business incubator and co-working space YCollaborate at the YMCA headquarters in Leederville.

Amberley Bradley said her winning project aimed to recognise unsung heroes in the community.

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“The grant is so helpful because it’s going to allow me to buy the materials like paint, easels and canvases that I wouldn’t be able to afford usually, as well as the studio space YCollaborate to paint,” she said.

“This has given me the push I needed, but also the funding that I’d never have been able to get myself. I definitely couldn’t have done it without this competition.”

YMCA HQ manager Andrew Rigg said the YCollaborate co-working space provided a supportive, safe environment for young people wanting to develop projects or businesses.

“It also provides access to a range of support programs, including access to professional mentors, workshops and professional development opportunities,” he said.

“Heavily subsidised membership plans are available to young people under the age of 26, with workspace hire starting from as little as $2 per hour.”

Amberley’s business venture will start with 10 to 15 portraits which will be auctioned at an exhibition, with her subjects present.

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