Mentorship program nurtures digital artist
DIGITAL artwork promises a bright future for a young local after receiving a head start with Umbrella Studio’s Budding Artists Mentorship ( BAM) initiative.
Funded by the council’s Regional Arts Development Fund last year, BAM opened in March to Umbrella members under the age of 30, who worked in any visual arts discipline, with a project that would take them to the next level of their artistic development.
Jasper Reading, 14, has spent several months under the guidance of artist Chris Brunton to develop his passion for digital art.
Jasper said the project really helped to motivate his passion.
“It’s something I will definitely keep going with,” he said.
Umbrella Studios director Jonathan McBurnie said the project was important and they were looking to apply for funding to continue. “We love to get the young artists happening in this community,” he said.
“They have great projects and exciting ideas and it helps us foster the next generation of artists for Townsville in North Queensland.”
Umbrella Studios was open to all sorts of art forms. “Jasper is one of those very lucky artists who is great at traditional work and digital work,” Mr McBurnie said.
Townsville City councillor Margie Ryder said artists could learn a lot from mentoring.
“Chris has got over 20 years’ experience and for a young fellow in our community to be mentored through this program is just amazing,” she said.