Three people in an art studio are working on their projects. The studio is filled with supplies. One person uses ink, another holds a tool, and the third paints. Various artworks are laid out on the table.

The Joslyn’s Kent Bellows Mentoring Program (KBMP) brings together high school students and professional artists for year-round mentoring in a safe space where teens have freedom and support to explore, think, and express themselves through art. With access to supplies and guidance from mentors and staff, teen artists pursue their own original ideas, gain technical skills in various media, exhibit their work, build an art portfolio, and expand their creative community. The longstanding core program, primarily for juniors and seniors, is held at Kent Bellows Studio, 3303 Leavenworth Street, a now a new foundations program for freshmen and sophomores meets at The Joslyn. More details below.

Kent Bellows Mentoring Program

Program Overview & Application Process

In addition to the longstanding core program held at Kent Bellows Studio (KBS), 3303 Leavenworth Street, a new foundations program now meets at The Joslyn. Foundations is for high school freshmen and sophomores and emphasizes skill building in drawing, painting, and mixed media, with the benefit of frequent visits to the Museum’s galleries. The core program remains primarily for juniors and seniors, with mentees focused on a medium of choice each trimester, opportunities for fieldtrips, and the expectation of presenting artwork in group exhibitions at KBS.

KBMP core and foundation programs operate on a pay-as-you-are-able tuition model ($1–$600 per trimester). Supplies are provided. Mentees attend program twice per week; 4-6 pm during the school year; 3-6 pm in the summer. Applications are accepted year-round, and interviews are conducted in March. We seek teens who are passionate about art and committed to their own education. Priority is given to students from schools that are not currently represented in the program.

Applications are accepted year-round, however, most interviews and new enrollment occurs in spring, with new mentees starting in the summer session. If you have questions about the program, the mentee application process, or are interested in being an artist mentor, please contact us.

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Core ProgramMentor
2D Mixed MediaCasey Callahan
3D SculptureTom McLaughlin
Arts ManagementViy
CeramicsJon Austin
Digital PaintingKasper Swain
DrawingNeil Griess, Mark Sabaliauskas
Mixed MediaJada Messick
Mural ArtsHugo Zamorano
PaintingCasey Callahan, Shawnequa Linder
PhotographyLaura Burke
PrintmakingMike Giron
Foundations ProgramMentor
DrawingMatt Jones
Mixed MediaBaylee Bennett
PaintingShawnequa Linder

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KBMP Arts Management Event

Fri, Apr 10, 5–8 pm
Joslyn Castle Carriage House Cafe (3902 Davenport Street)

Under the guidance of Kent Bellows Mentoring Program (KBMP) mentor Viy, arts management mentees curated Left: What Remains, What Departs, an exhibition featuring work created by KBMP mentors and staff. The title was chosen to reflect what mentors leave with mentees and what inspiration they take with them. Mentors were asked to submit work in the medium that they teach in the program. Join us to support the teen mentees and celebrate the program’s talented mentors.

Free event; all are welcome!

Young Artist Exhibition

Opening Weekend
Fri, Apr 24, 6-9 pm & Sat, Apr 25, 11 am-2 pm
Kent Bellows Studio (3303 Leavenworth Street)

On view April 24–May 14, Are You Listening Yet? is a multidisciplinary exhibition showcasing work by the Museum’s Kent Bellows Mentoring Program core level spring semester artists. Works include drawings, paintings, prints, photographs, ceramics, sculpture, and more. Artwork sales benefit the teen artists and the program. Please stop by!

Free events; all are welcome.

Three people in a gallery view colorful framed artworks on white walls. One person in a floral dress looks closely at a painting, while two others in casual attire engage in conversation. The setting is small and brightly lit.

City Arts—Pieces for Peace

Sat, Jun 6, 10 am–2 pm
Kent Bellows Studio (3303 Leavenworth Street)

Pieces for Peace is a CITYarts global project using the creative process to build bridges of cultural understanding between American youth and their peers around the world. In January, 22 teens from the Kent Bellows Mentoring Program participated in workshops to create 6” x 6” artworks about peace for submission to the project; one was selected for a touring exhibition. From June 6–20, 113 artworks representing 58 countries will be on view at Kent Bellows Studio (KBS), along with photos of the local teens and their artworks. On June 6, visitors to KBS are invited to make their own piece for peace to keep.

Free event; all are welcome.

A person paints a colorful portrait of a face on paper, surrounded by paint palettes and brushes. A smartphone on the table displays various country flags, and a paper plate sits nearby.

Text image with the words "The Joslyn Kent Bellows Mentoring Program" in pink and blue capital letters.