“The Artist Within”: An art mentorship program for youth

What is “The Artist Within”?

A one-on-one mentorship for young artists ages 9–21, created to nurture their creativity, confidence, and curiosity. Whether they’re just beginning to explore art or diving deeper into a medium they love, this mentorship offers gentle guidance, encouragement, and support every step of the way.

What to expect:

Personalized Guidance: Each Mentee will receive one-on-one attention tailored to their skill level, interests, and creative goals. Whether they’re beginners or budding artists, the mentorship meets them where they are.

Skill Development & Project- Based Learning: Mentees will learn and/or explore various art techniques, styles, and mediums. They’ll have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects to exercise their skills and foster their growth.

Encouragement and Support: The mentorship will be a space for mentees to be who they are, build confidence in their art, receive constructive criticism conducive to their goals, and have someone to socialize with without judgement. FernLight is LGBTQ+ safe and stigma-free.

Community and Connection: Mentees will connect with an experienced artist who will share their passion for art. There may also be a chance for group activities in the future to foster socialization and connection.

Where does the mentorship take place? 

The mentorship will take place typically at FernLight Studio in Plattsburgh, NY.

Some things to note:

  • There are several stairs to get to the studio and to get to the bathroom, if needed.

  • The studio has bright overhead lights.

  • I’m often running an air purifier in the studio.

If any of these things make this space inaccessible to you, please let me know. We can discuss alternative locations (i.e. I can go to you!) that would be better suited. Additionally, I can make changes to lighting / noises in the studio to accommodate sensory sensitivities.

Pricing & Process

If you think The Artist Within might be a good fit for a young creative in your life, feel free to reach out! You can contact Bee at fernlightstudio.art@gmail.com, through the Contact page, or on Facebook.

From there, we’ll schedule a free 15–30 minute intake session — a chance for the mentee and I to connect, start building rapport, and talk through their interests, goals, and hopes for mentorship. We’ll also complete any needed paperwork during this time.

Following the intake, I’ll create a personalized mentorship plan designed to meet the young artist where they are and shape each session around their unique creative journey.

Scheduling Availability:

At this time, mentorship sessions are available to be scheduled typically on Saturday and Sundays from 10am-5pm, and Mondays or Wednesdays between 5-7pm.

Note 1: Mentorship sessions / packages may be renewed at any time.

Note 2: Financial accessibility is important to me. If these prices are out of reach, please reach out anyway and we can discuss options.

“When we make art accessible to all, we enable the world to see beauty through diverse eyes, not just the eyes of privilege.”
— Unknown

FAQs

  • Absolutely not! This mentorship is for artists at any stage - whether just picking up a brush or having been creating for years.

    The focus is on growth and progress, not perfection.

  • That depends on the area of interest of the mentee!

    I personally am often drawn to expressionistic, abstract art. But I also dabble in landscapes / nature, portraiture, and other styles.

    The goal is also to introduce artists to the process of discovering styles they are not comfortable or familiar with yet. To learn to navigate curiosity and play while exploring something new.

    If a mentee is interested in a style I am not experienced in, I’ll be honest about that up front, but I’ll also do what I can to learn and grow and have things to share with the mentee.

  • Nope! I understand how hectic and crazy life can be. That’s completely okay.

    I keep track of everyone who’s signed up and paid, so there’s no rush in scheduling if life doesn’t fit around it right now for you!

  • It’s somewhere in between! Sessions are structured around the mentees goals and interests. That might include critique, demonstrations, brainstorming, or even reflective conversation.

    At the end of the day, we’re human and I want to always create space for that to be okay.

  • I strive to create a flexible, affirming space for all kinds of brains and bodies. Need extra breaks, visual instructions, sensory-friendly pacing, or flexible communication? Just let me know and we’ll adapt together!