County Arts celebrates mentorship program success

Mentee Michelle Kosoy shows new work created during the mentorship program.

The Prince Edward County Arts Council (County Arts) celebrated the success of its first mentorship program with a discussion and exhibition event which gave attendees a glimpse into the mentorship pairs’ activities, challenges and successes.

The mentorship journeys were completed during 25 hours of activities over the past four months through a program funded by the Ontario government Seniors’ Community Grants program. The majority of participants were 55+, and both mentors and mentees received compensation.

Participating artists work in a wide variety of disciplines including painting, poetry, furniture making, ceramics, writing, dance, and more.

Stacey Sproule, County Arts Programs Manager, said mentorship is particularly important in a rural community where opportunities to meet and connect with those working in the arts are fewer, and artists tend to be working in isolation.

“Many of the mentees have expressed a renewed energy and excitement about their work and their path as an artist, and mentors have reflected that the experience has helped them see their own work and practice in a new light,” said Sproule. “We hope this program helps encourage artists in Prince Edward County and beyond to reflect on the ways they can share knowledge and support each other in their career journeys.”

Actor and program mentor Joan McBride said it was a particular pleasure to mentor a young aspiring actor, adding their “talent, passion and enthusiasm rekindled the joy I had experienced as an acting instructor many years ago.

“I was reminded of what a privilege it is to have the opportunity to nurture and encourage our next generation of storytellers. I also very much enjoyed being part of a larger group of mentors/mentees from a wide range of artistic disciplines: the opportunity to share our thoughts, our stories and some of what we do as artists within our chosen fields was very rewarding.”

Mentee Delane Cooper with a new work entitle ‘Spiral of Life’