MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Develop your skills and voice, build a head-turning body of work, and learn how to thrive working with art galleries and clients.
Not sure if this is the right program for you? Book a consultation now.
Program Description: Whether you aspire to exhibit your artwork in renowned galleries, establish relationships with private collectors, or explore other avenues within the industry, the Fine Arts Program equips you with technical skills, hands-on assignments, and industry guidance to chart out a career in the fine arts industry. This track assists you in establishing your style and voice and harnessing these abilities to stand out from the crowd.
The Fine Arts Program consists of 3, 10 week long courses.
Course 1.
Build your Skills & Identify Goals
Overview: This course is designed to help you outline your professional goals and explore genres that align with your unique style and interests. Under the close guidance of a mentor, you will refine your skills, elevate your technique, and cultivate a distinctive artistic voice that sets you apart in the gallery art world.
Instructor: Cassandra Loomis Kim
Course 2.
Polish skills, find you voice, & outline career strategy
Overview: This comprehensive course takes you on a profound exploration of career mapping and skill development. With a primary focus on refining technique and solidifying your unique style and voice, this course offers an enriching experience that propels your artistry to new heights. Working alongside a highly experienced mentor, you will receive the guidance and support necessary to unleash your artistic potential.
Instructor: Raymond Bonilla
Course 3.
Market, network, and pursue a career with your art
Overview: This co-taught course is the finishing installment of the Fine Arts Program. Students will complete and compile a body of work as they prepare to confidently approach galleries. This course outlines effective career strategies, from networking and marketing, to presentation and salesmanship as well as gallery expectations and norms.
Instructors: Raymond Bonilla & John English
Your instructors are seasoned pros, with experience working with galleries and selling original art to collectors and clients around the world. As you progress through the program, these artists act as your professional compass, helping you develop creative abilities, techniques, and entrepreneurial skills.
Skill & Style for Gallery Arts
Gallery Inventory & Career Research
Career Development for Fine Arts
Each semester features 7 guest artists and directors who have risen to the top of their industry, giving you access to their craft, process, and industry wisdom.
Ask questions, join the discussion, and gain industry knowledge from high-caliber professionals.
UPCOMING GUEST SPEAKERS
Need help determining if this is the right path for your professional and artistic development? Book a free Zoom call with our Program Director to discuss your goals and the resources offered at Visual Arts Passage.
Alana Tedmon attended and completed the Mentorship Programs at VAP, studying with artists such as Audrey Benjaminsen, Edward Kinsella, and Sterling Hundley.
No. Students only commit to one mentorship course per semester. Once you complete a course, you can register for the next course, to continue your progress in the mentorship program.
The Mentorship Program can be complete within a 12 month period. It is not unusual for students to repeat the final course in the program, Career Development, if they choose to have continued coaching from Visual Arts Passage mentors.
The Mentorship program is a "get out of it, what you put in" experience. That being said, our courses are structured to accommodate individuals with a busy schedule. We recommend setting aside a minimum of 3 hours for your live course and 2 hours to complete assignments and course work. We highly encourage students to commit more time if their schedule allows.
Mentorship courses enroll 4 times per year, during the winter, spring, summer, and fall semester. You can view the program calendar here.
We recommend that most students start with the first course in the Illustration Program, Process: Skill & Craft. Highly experienced students may qualify to attend the second course in the program, Ideation & Visual Storytelling. If you are not sure, feel free to send your work to hello@visualartspassage.com and a team member will get back to you with a recommendation shortly.
Each course in the Illustration Mentorship Program is $1199.
This is the first course in the Commercial Gallery Program and takes the first steps in career-mapping, skill development and more. During this 10 week course, you will outline your professional goals as a gallery artist and evaluate established or new genres that appeal to your style and interest.
With the close guidance of your mentor, you will learn to refine your skills and technique as you develop a unique style and voice.
From hands-on assignments, to in-depth feedback every week from a team of pro artists, you will have all the resources you need to accelerate and push your work to the next level.
Mediums Covered: All traditional 2D Mediums.
Skill Requirements: Beginner/intermediate
Delivery: Live & Online (all classes are recorded and available on-demand)
10 weeks (23 Live Classes)
Sundays, 2pm – 5pm PT
$1199
Cassandra is a contemporary artist whose paintings reflect a lifelong love of animals and traditional art. Inspired by the master painters of the past and she seeks to put her own slightly absurd surrealistic twist on art by replacing animals with people. She also has been teaching herself to restore reclaimed antique and vintage wood items to paint on or frame her paintings in. She is a Virginia native and 2003 BFA Illustration graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University, and worked as a muralist and graphic artist for Trader Joes for 14 years. In 2013, the Klondike Gold Rush National Park and Chilkoot Historical Site awarded Cassandra with an artist residency. In 2018 Cassandra turned her focus to her personal art full-time. She is represented by Glave Kocen Consulting and is guest artist at Robert Lange Studios and has been in exhibits across the United States and internationally.
2022 Exhibits
John English was raised in the company of New York’s most talented illustrators. He is the co-founder and program director of Visual Arts Passage. He is also the founder and director of The Illustration Academy.
John is currently represented by Eva Reynolds Gallery.
He has received numerous awards from organizations including New York Society of Illustrators, Los Angeles Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, Graphis and Print Magazine. John’s work has graced the cover of Newsweek, the pages of Esquire, Money, and Essence, and the publications of Penguin Books, Bantam Books, Hitachi, 7-Up, NCAA, Sprint Corporation, and the Knoll Furniture Group.
Each semester, Commercial Gallery students gain access to 3 visiting artists and one featured gallery director. These industry leaders answer student questions, complete in-depth demonstrations, and provide real-world advice for building a career in fine arts.
WINTER 2023 GUEST SPEAKERS
As a mentorship student, you will gain access to a vast wealth of resources to better your understanding and improve your skills. You will be paired with a high-caliber professional, who will be with you every step of the way.
Every class is delivered live and is fully interactive with lectures, demos, critiques, and guest speakers. Consider this your front row seat.
Learn-by-doing Assignments
Students are tasked on a weekly basis with a variety of skill-building exercises, real-world assignments, and projects to help refine and improve. Once students establish direction, their assignments will aim to build a body of work with that focus.
Even though our courses are the best value, with the high caliber instruction and personalized mentoring, there are finance options available to make the mentorship program financially possible for as many artists as possible. Select Shop Pay or Affirm at checkout to view options.
No. Students only commit to one mentorship course per semester. Once you complete a course, you can register for the next course, to continue your progress in the mentorship program.
Each course in this Mentorship Program is $1199.
The Mentorship program is a "get out of it, what you put in" experience. That being said, our courses are structured to accommodate individuals with a busy schedule. We recommend setting aside a minimum of 3 hours for your live course and 2 hours to complete assignments and course work. We highly encourage students to commit more time if their schedule allows.
Mentorship courses enroll 4 times per year, during the winter, spring, summer, and fall semester. You can view the program calendar here.
We recommend that most students start with the first course in the Commercial Gallery Program, Gallery Fundamentals: Direction & Voice. Highly experienced students may qualify to attend the second course in the program, Gallery Portfolio & Inventory. If you are not sure, feel free to send your work to hello@visualartspassage.com and a team member will get back to you with a recommendation shortly.
*Grandfathered in pricing excludes discounts and discontinues with any breaks in your enrollment.
We can help you with any questions related to enrollment, portfolio development, and the student experience.
