The peer-mentoring programme hosted by Assemblage was re-launched in March 2013, offering a more structured format with dedicated mentors. Since September 2010, young and emerging artists have been benefitting from peer-mentoring through the Johannesburg-based visual arts organisation.

Assemblage’s peer mentoring groups are open to anyone who is serious about pursuing a career as an artist. The basic idea is simple, but powerful. A group of working artists and art professionals, practicing in a variety of media, get together to discuss, critique and advise on one another’s work and concepts. Assemblage places great value on peer review and not producing work in isolation.

This new structured format, which was implemented throughout 2013 with great success, allows for a greater emphasis on the development of concepts and artwork, in relation to conceptual and contemporary practice. It will also encourage one-on-one engagement with a dedicated mentor and relationship building with your peers.

In 2013, over 45 artists went through the peer mentoring process and 12 mentors ranging from professional artists to gallerists, curators and writers, including: Gordon Froud, Diana Hyslop, Lerato Bereng, Thato Mogotsi, Maria Fidel Rigueros, Lesly Perkes, Stephan Erasmus, Michael Smith, James Sey, Usha Seejarim and Anthea Moys.

How it works:
Artists are invited to participate in Assemblage’s first peer mentoring cycle of 2014 which will run for 3 months from Feb-April. During this period artists must commit to 3 peer mentoring sessions (1 per month). The sessions will take place at the Assemblage Studios in Newtown on:
Mon 10 Feb (18:00-21:00)
Mon 17 Mar (18:00-21:00)
Mon 14 Apr (18:00-21:00)

At these sessions, artists will be assigned to a group, will be able to present their works and concepts, and will receive guidance and advice from their peers and from their dedicated mentors. As accomplished arts professionals, these mentors will work with the artists in their group to develop their practice over the 3 month period.

The sessions are free and are open to all visual artists but the space is limited!

In order to attend artists must apply with the following form by no later than Friday 31 January 2014: https://docs.google.com/forms

For further information contact peermentoring@assemblage.co.za

www.assemblage.co.za