Artistic Teens get Mentoring and More

Every Year, the Rogue Gallery & Art Center hosts the Artist Teen Mentoring Project (ATMP), which pairs local area teens, ages 16 to 18 with professional artists to create artwork. This program presents teens with the opportunity to learn  new skills while working in the private studio of a professional artist. After the 15 to 20 hours of studio time, the students and their mentors exhibit in the Student Gallery at the Rogue Gallery & Art Center (RGAC), with a reception to celebrate their achievements. Many teen participants use this mentoring experience to fulfill the requirements for their Senior Project.

In the past years, the gallery has offered a wide range of opportunities to teen participants including glass blowing, illustration, printmaking, and sculpture.

In 2007, two local area High School Students, Julie Gall of North Medford High and Megan Burr of Phoenix High School, mentored with kinetic sculptor Richard Jarel, to create “Salmon Flight” a large sculpture commissioned by the city of Medford and currently being displayed in the fountain outside Medford’s City Hall. “It was a really great program, I enjoyed working in a new medium, and getting to know my mentor.”, said Megan Burr, “It was an amazing experience, I am grateful for the opportunity.”

“As a teen, facing decisions about the future, I believe it’s invaluable to these students to have the chance to be mentored by an artist who can answer questions about art school, apprenticeships, and how to make a living in the field of art. It’s a support that a lot of students wouldn’t otherwise have access to, and may help to shape the direction their own interest in art takes.”says Holly Kilpatrick, RGAC Education Director.  The Rogue Gallery & Art Center is a non-profit arts organization with scholarship opportunities. “One of my favorite things about my job is not having to turn students away due to lack of funding”, says Kilpatrick.  RGAC also offers classes to teens interested in furthering their art education outside of the high school art class experience. In September, and October, the Gallery is offering Silkscreen Printing onto Fabric, Pinhole Photography, and Watercolor for teens ages 16 and up.

The Artist Teen Mentoring Project  runs January through March, with an application Deadline of December 5^th. Students wishing to participate should contact the Rogue Gallery & Art Center for an application 772-8118 or holly@roguegallery.org.