RISE: An ALAANA Aritsan Mentorship Program
Spring 2024 // Mosaic Makers Co x Adamson High School
About the Program
Through the RISE Mentorship Program, we aim to provide 4 African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and Native American (ALAANA) Adamson High School students with the opportunity to learn alongside ALAANA artists who are working and making an impact in their local community. There are so many opportunities and paths to work and support the arts. Community is an essential ingredient for success in any field, especially the arts. For artists of color – a lack of representation and barriers like pressure for stability can make it hard for students and families to visualize what a future in the arts can really look like.
During this program, mentees will explore key elements of being a working artist and learn to elevate their voices, culminating in a sponsored capstone art show. Key themes of the program include:
R epresentation: Seeing yourself in the arts.
I nvestment: The business of art.
S upport: Community over competition.
E xhibit: Raising your voice
The Application Details
Participant Requirements
Meet monthly with their assigned mentor to discuss the key program themes and aspects of being a working ALAANA artist. Most meetings will be conducted virtually, with an in-person artist tour in Bishop Arts/Oak Cliff (March 2024)
Be provided resources and guidance to exhibit their artwork in a capstone in person art show (April/May 2024).
Eligibility
Current Adamson High School Student. All grade levels allowed.
Identifies as African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and Native American.
Interested in perusing a career centered in visual arts, including fine arts, freelance work, entrepreneurial ventures or other paths.
Able to show examples of existing artwork if/when applicant proceeds to a second round interview. All visual arts mediums are eligible.
Evaluation/Mentee Selection
Applicants will be evaluated during a two part process:
PART 1: Anonymous application evaluation: To ensure all applications are reviewed equitably, responses to this form will be reviewed and scored without applicant's names or demographic information. Top-ranking applications will move to the second round of review.
PART 2: Interview: Top-ranking applicants will be interviewed by a panel of program mentors and coordinators. The top 4 ranking applicants will be selected for the mentorship program.
PLEASE NOTE: All applications are due on Sunday, February 11 at 11:59 PM CT.
Meet the Mentors
Lauren-Ashley Barnes
Mentor // Pineapple Sundays Studio
Lauren-Ashley is the Founder & Creative Director behind Pineapple Sundays, a feel-good stationery & gift co. As a multi-passionate illustrator she has a breath of knowledge in surface pattern design, product development, product photography & art licensing.
Nicole Bernard
Project Lead // NBMakes
Nicole Bernard is a lifelong artist and founder & chief maker of NB Makes, a Dallas-based ceramic jewelry, tableware and art culture brand that believes a good life is worth making. NB Makes is a Black, woman-owned business founded in 2020. Nicole's colored porcelain pieces are a daily reminder that a little beauty and fun is always within reach.
Nicole is also passionate about teaching her art practice and creating opportunities for makers of color. She has hosted ceramics and jewelry workshops with the Dallas Arboretum and FSC Clayworks, as well as hosted a cultural pop up and panel with Mosaic Maker’s Collective highlighting ALAANA artists.
Shraddha Dharia
Mentor // Artologie
Shraddha is self-taught visual artist and works extensively in water media and digital art based in her home studio in Plano, Texas. Shraddha was born and brought up in India and the colors, intricacy and details of India often influence her artwork. In recent years, Shraddha has explored representational abstract landscapes, everyday objects as well as flowers and fauna. After High school she completed postgraduate degrees in Civil Engineering and worked for 22 years in the field before deciding to pursue the arts full time. Shraddha's work can be seen at Mosaic Makers Collective, Minted, West Elm and Saatchi Art.
Ashlea Kiiing
Mentor // Kiiing and Co Designs
Ashlea Kiiing is the CEO and Lead Designer at Kiiing & Co. Designs. She is an illustrator, surface designer and educator who thrives to make a difference in her community by combining the world of art and education. Ashlea has experience in branding, digital illustration, product development, art curation and surface pattern design.
Kathy Phan
Mentor // Kathyphantastic
Kathy Phan is a daughter of Vietnamese refugees, watercolor illustrator and entrepreneur based in Austin, Texas. With a background in food, collegiate marketing and Asian American studies, Kathy explores identity through her art and aims to make people feel seen in the subjects of her illustrations. Kathy has worked with brands including Coca-Cola, Madewell, Kodiak Cakes, Sharetea, and Cravings by Chrissy Teigen.