A budding artist whose father is living with motor neurone disease (MND) has inspired a painter to auction off a bespoke piece to benefit her chosen charity, the MND Association.
Sophia Towart, 11, caught the attention of artist Csilla Orban while selling her own greetings cards online and prints within Whitewall Newcastle. As Sophia donates a proportion of her profits to the MND Association, Csilla came to learn about MND and the impact the diagnosis has had on Sophia’s family.
Inspired, Csilla made contact with the Towart family to offer a bespoke painting that could be auctioned to raise awareness of MND, and funds for the MND Association.
Dawn Towart, Sophia’s mum, said: “Alan and I were overwhelmed by Csilla Orban’s amazingly kind offer to paint a picture for us to auction off to raise money for the Association. We, as a family, are huge fans of Csilla’s work and when we saw the piece, we were blown away.
“As always Csilla has captured not only the physical detail of London but as with all her pieces a true ambience of mood and we especially like how the mood and light of the scene can change by changing the lighting directed at the painting. Taking the painting through from early morning to dusk, with a calmness before the rush of the day or a calmness as the day winds down.
“The support and awareness that this event and the painting itself will bring to the motor neurone disease community is huge, and we can not begin to thank Csilla Orban or Georgina Llewelyn and Whitewall Newcastle enough for their support and dedication to making such a difference.”
The auction is being staged on Sunday 10 April with doors at Whitewall Galleries, Newcastle opening at 2pm. The special event is hosted in association with Fenwick and the MND Association and will feature a mixed exhibition of artwork, including the star piece from Csilla.
The MND Association is the only national charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland focused on improving access to care, research and campaigning for those people living with or affected by MND.
MND is a fatal, rapidly progressing disease which affects the brain and spinal cord. It attacks the nerves that control movement and eventually leaves people unable to move, communicate or breathe. It kills a third of people within a year of diagnosis and half within two years. There is no cure.
To find out more about the event and RSVP your attendance, visit: https://www.whitewallgalleries.com/events/spring-exhibition-and-auction-whitewall-newcastle.
People can also sign up to attend the event by emailing: [email protected] or calling 0191 233 1394.
For more information about MND and the MND Association please visit: www.mndassociation.org.
