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Two people in white clothes stand on a paint-covered sheet with their arms extended forward, showing hands and arms smeared with colorful paint. Buckets of paint are visible on the floor beside them.

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, and 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.
  • Core ProgramMentor
  • 2D Mixed MediaCasey Callahan
  • 3D SculptureTom McLaughlin
  • Arts ManagementViy
  • CeramicsClarissa Weitzel
  • Digital PaintingKasper Swain
  • DrawingNeil Griess, Mark Sabaliauskas
  • Fibert ArtsPeyton Pearson
  • 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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Young Artist Exhibition

Opening Weekend
Fri, Jul 31, 6–9 pm & Sat, Aug 1, 11 am–2 pm
Kent Bellows Studio (3303 Leavenworth Street)

I Don’t Know Where I Am Right Now
Join us to enjoy this multidisciplinary exhibition showcasing work by the Museum’s Kent Bellows Mentoring Program core level summer semester artists. Works include drawings, paintings, prints, photographs, ceramics, sculpture, and more. Artwork sales benefit the teen artists and the program. Please stop by!

Admission is free and all are welcome.

A man and a woman stand in an art gallery, looking at paintings on the wall. The woman holds a collage artwork and appears to be discussing it with the man, who listens attentively. Bright lights illuminate the gallery.

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