Mentoring

Our current Mentoring events are not age specific nor are they limited to ACG members. They are for those who have just qualified or are turning their sights to a different career in the arts. Each mentoring event is intended to make the considerable experience and knowledge of one artist available to a small group of artists who may or may not be of the same discipline. It involves a few hours on a Saturday either somewhere in central London or at the home/studio of the mentor. The only cost is that of travel and sometimes food if meeting in a café.

In July of 2010, Colin Burns and Jason Blackwood took over the role of co-ordinating these events. To give a flavour of the kind of events organised, here are some of the different Mentoring Days which have been held.

MENTORING GROUP DAY - Douglas Rickard, Visual Artist - August 2011

The mentoring group met with visual artist Douglas Rickard at Chorak café in Finchley where there was an exhibition of his work. Douglas talked about his approach to making art and stressed the importance of the Christian artist’s role as a servant and of being a contributor to society. This includes producing work that people appreciate and are prepared to buy. For Douglas it isn’t enough to produce interesting work that no one is prepared to pay for! He wants to impact people and has no qualms about producing work that ’is for the market’. He talked about how using social media such as eBay and Facebook had been extremely helpful in promoting his work and reaching a wider audience. A friend had asked him to put her work online for sale and this prompted Douglas to do the same for his own work. This was the springboard that enabled him to produce art on a full time basis. For more about Douglas’ work please visit www.douglasrickard.com.

MENTORING GROUP DAY - Lara Pilcher - May 2011

Dancer, singer & actress, Lara Pilcher (centre in photo), gave an inspirational talk about her work and faith. She shared her love of outreach and the importance of mentoring others. She said that it would be preferable to be remembered for motivating and inspiring others than for ’making it’ in one’s own Career - though the latter should be welcomed if it happens. She referred to her time as a dance teacher in an Australian Academy and describe how she got to take on the organisation of Project Dance in London. It was a step of faith as she had little previous experience of organising a project of this size.

The following Saturday we attended the Project Dance public performance (organised by Lara Pilcher). Dancers travelled from all over the world (including a group from Puerto Rico) for this event. It was a day of fantastic, and varied dance. The event had a low key, but distinct Christian theme.

MENTORING GROUP DAY - Studio Visit Jon Willcocks - February 2011

Illustrator and graphic designer, Jon Willcocks, is a former ACG Board member. The mentoring group visited his studio near Slough around midday. Jon’s profile can be seen on the ACG website. Jon was involved in the design of the first full colour edition of the Good News Bible.

Jon showed us his illustrations and talked about his work as a graphic designer. Jon produces brochures for schools and other organisations using fantastic photographs which are presented and manipulated in very imaginative ways. He also stressed the importance of the business aspect of any successful artistic enterprise. www.jwaltd.com

MENTORING DAY - Stephen Owen, Craftsman In Wood - Saturday 18 September 2010

The mentoring group visited ACG member Stephen Owen at his studio in Cranleigh, Surrey. Stephen recounted how the peace of God touched him as he watched his original studio burn down. Instead of despairing, this motivated him to rebuild. We were privileged to see the finished result and also to see items which he had made out of wood. These were made to an incredibly high standard, these included furniture, a briefcase and even wooden bow ties! It was a very inspiring day. www.stephenowen.com

MENTORING GROUP DAY - Visual Artist Ellen Anderson - July 2010.

The Mentoring Group met at the café of St Paul’s Cathedral where Ellen Anderson talked about and showed photographs of her artwork, She also shared about her involvement with Artslink, an outreach programme run by Operation Mobilisation.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED...

If you are interested in attending one of these mentoring events, please email Colin Burns in the ACG office giving your name, contact details and your artistic discipline(s). If you are not a member you will be put on the Mentoring Mailing list and notified whenever there is an event. ACG members automatically receive our newsletter which includes details of mentoring and other events.

Starting out in the arts can be difficult and all artists need encouragement. This is our aim through mentoring to share experience and give that encouragement. Why not come? Click here to contact the office.