Teen Mentorships
The Art Base teen mentorship programs connect high school students with local artists to build creativity, explore new media, and showcase their work in exhibitions. We offer three free mentorships programs for high school students that encourage hands-on learning and artistic exploration across a variety of mediums. Learn more about each program through the links below.
Research shows that mentorship programs for high school students have positive effects on young people’s development. Mentoring can improve academic performance, social skills, and self‑confidence, and help youth build healthy relationships throughout life — as detailed by youth.gov’s mentoring benefits overview, and MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership’s mentoring impact research.
HOME / UN HOGAR
Mentorship
This community-centered program offers students the opportunity to reflect on the concept of “home” — both the homes they’ve known in the past and the ones they are building here in the Roaring Fork Valley. Through bilingual instruction and artistic mentorship from Gabriela Mejia, students will create individual artworks and written reflections that explore their personal journeys, cultural identity, and unique experiences.
Laura Thorne Sculpture Program
The Laura Thorne Sculpture Program is a free, hands-on mentorship for aspiring young artists interested in sculpture. Over the course of three months, participants will work closely with a professional artist mentor to explore sculptural techniques and develop original work, culminating in a public exhibition at The Art Base.
Open to high school students, this program honors the legacy of renowned sculptor and arts advocate Laura Thorne, encouraging creative growth through guidance, experimentation, and community.
Claudette Carter
ARTMentors
The Claudette Carter ARTMentorship (CCAM) is a free five-month program that connects aspiring young artists with experienced local mentors to explore the value of the artistic process. The program culminates in a group exhibition at The Art Base.
CCAM is open to high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and homeschool students. Each mentor-mentee pair works together to build strong communication skills, solve creative challenges, and—most importantly—make art!