A new mentorship program in Dawson Creek aims to support and celebrate emerging Peace Country artists.
The Youth Artist Mentorship & Exhibition Program (YAM), facilitated by the Dawson Creek Art Gallery (DCAG), the Kiwanis Performing Arts Centre (KPAC), and Arts North East (ANE), aims to connect youth artists with established professionals working in the same medium.
“We want to bring city opportunities into our community because there’s a stereotype that you have to leave and you have to go to Vancouver, Toronto or Calgary or just somewhere else to get these big opportunities and to get these professional chances,” said Gwen Hawkins, DCAG administrative assistant.
She noted that she has known artists who leave for other places for art school and don’t return to the community.
The mentorship will span two months with one-on-one sessions and will help youth explore their artistic techniques, creative expression, and portfolio development.
The program will culminate in a one-month exhibition installed on the DCAG pilot wall at KPAC.
“The more we can expose the art gallery stuff to the people who aren’t in the art gallery, the happier I feel,” said Emma Hawkins, KPAC programming coordinator, noting that the wall will often display TREX NW displays but can go weeks without a display.
“There’s no barrier, and like whatever a kid wants to do, I think we will find someone to help them,” said Emma.
Facilitators of YAM want to have an honorarium available for mentors and to pay the exhibiting artist for their work as well.
Gwen noted that YAM is working to find sponsors to ensure artists are paid, and that the cost of supplies, such as framing, can be covered.
Call for mentors and mentees!
The search for mentors and mentees for YAM is underway.
“We’re hoping to have a luncheon in March just to get people out to like come talk to us, meet the team, and then hopefully we’ll have some mentors just like out and about, so people have the chance to meet artists if they’re interested,” said Gwen.
She said YAM has already recruited a few mentors who are available if a young artist is looking for a mentorship, “but it comes down to what people are applying for.”
Still, the excitement for the program is growing, says Gwen, noting that some mentors have said they wish they had a similar program when they were starting out.
The program will currently serve northeastern B.C.
“We just don’t think we have the funding right now to expand into Grande Prairie, so right now we’re kind of keeping it in northeastern B.C., but we do have the intentions of expanding to all of Treaty 8 once we have the funding,” said Gwen.
More information and the sign-up form are available on the DCAG website under programming or by emailing youthartistmentorship@gmail.com.
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