Visual Arts Nova Scotia is pleased to officially announce the participants of this year’s Mentorship Program. After receiving some great applications, the program will be supporting four dedicated emerging Nova Scotian artists. Carrie Allison, Emily Lawrence, Jenny Yujia Shi, and Katharine (Kyle) Vingoe-Cram have been individually paired with established artists and mentors: Ursula Johnson, Peter Dykhuis, Charley Young, and Karin Cope. For more information on the participants click here.

The 10-month mentorship program supports the artistic and professional ambitions of emerging artists in Nova Scotia by providing access to the skills and experience of established artist mentors. Emerging artists are selected by a peer assessment committee based on individual proposals, program criteria, their dedication to their art practice, their independent studio practice outside of formal training environments, and their ability and willingness to engage in critical discussion about their work. Based upon the needs of the selected mentees, the committee solicits interest from qualified mentors who possess the skills to propel the emerging artists’ practice.

By investing intensely in a few emerging artists each year for the last 12 years, the VANS Mentorship Program contributes to the overall strength, sustainability and vibrancy of the visual arts community in Nova Scotia.

Visual Arts Nova Scotia gratefully acknowledges core funding for the Mentorship Program and exhibition from the Craig Foundation. The program is also supported by the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage and the Halifax Regional Municipality.

Image details left to right: Katharine (Kyle) Vingoe-Cram, My Father’s Armchair I (detail), oil on panel, 8 x 10”, 2016; Emily Lawrence, For Ruth (detail), photographs, 3.5 x 5”, 2018; Jenny Yujia Shi, Mid-way (detail), inks, pastel, oil, paper, canvas and acrylic medium, 2018; Carrie Allison, Heart River (detail), glass beads on felt, 10m x 1 – 10cm, 2018.