YOUTH MENTORSHIP PROGRAM - Why do I think it’s important for Corina Hazlett Art Studio to provide a youth art mentorship program?
Once a year I choose a young creative who has attended art classes at the studio and they are of between 7-12 years of age. The successful applicant gets a terms worth of free one-on-one art classes with me, one afternoon a week (worth approx $750) and a gift voucher of $100 to spend on art supplies of their choice and a large pre-framed canvas.
What do I hope to achieve by the mentorship?
FUN FUN FUN has to be at the top of the list.. something that both the student and I can look forward to.. but also
Give back .. Firstly I am always so humbled to have students attend the studio , some who travel from Rangiora, Amberley and a few who travel all the way from Christchurch after School. This is my way of saying THANK YOU to my community of parents who place importance on their children’s creative Intelligence . It is a way for me to give back to my little after school arts community. Giving back in some small way is something I think every business (large or small) should do.
Teach Leadership - When I choose the applicant they have often already displayed this in class. I not only look at the students commitment to their art but also at how they help others , especially younger students in the classroom. They will also have displayed courtesy and help to clean up at the end of sessions without having to be asked. Cleaning brushes, painting plates and putting art supplies away is such a good thing to learn for any artist.
I hope that I can Inspire younger creatives -The gift Voucher to the Drawing Room in Christchurch enables them to visit a wonderful store that is dedicated to artists and art supplies. I know when I walk into there its like walking into something magical and I still get inspired by all of the mediums and papers. By also working alongside me they will see how I use the materials and are able to learn from my experience as a practising artist and see some of my most recent artworks that aren’t viewable to the public.
Positive Youth Development and good communication skills-Teaches the student how to listen to constructive feedback to improve their work and put that into place. What I also love about art is that you don’t have to be an academic, you don’t have to be great at spelling or maths or sport. For these children it can increase their self esteem to find that they can excel at something, and once this is learnt it can spill over into other areas of the lives.
Increased higher school aspirations - I hope that the student will Learn to be goal-oriented - We work towards a goal that the student has, at the beginning we will work out what the student wants to achieve in their time with me and then complete that goal. This also leads to help Improve motivation to learn new technical skills, especially ones that they might not have been exposed to, including a variety of mediums.
ROLE OF HONOUR - Acknowledging past recipients
2025 - Arielle Chong
2024 - Elise Power
2023 - Ruby and Ivy Wesley
2022 - Grace Ambrose-Moore
2021 - Sienna O’Dow