Youth Mentorship Program

Alchemy’s Youth Mentorship Program matches young people with professional artists in small-group sessions that foster positive relationships, create confidence, and build specialized art skills. This program is free of charge, and is open to middle school and high school age kids in ceramics, printmaking, photo darkroom, and more.

Please note, this program can only accommodate 3-6 kids in each cohort, and it fills quickly. Applications are reviewed on a first come first serve basis, and we may prioritize new applicants.

This program takes place on-site at Alchemy (1255 Wold Rd). During the school year, students have the option of taking the #1 school bus to Alchemy. At times when the bus is not running (summer and holidays), families must arrange transportation to Alchemy (please let us know if you need help arranging transportation, or a carpool buddy).

Please see the application below for available mentorship opportunities!

This program is funded in part by the Community Foundation, the San Juan County Arts Council, and generous private donations. Donations to support this free program are greatly appreciated.


Apply for our 2024 Youth Mentorship Program!

  • June Mentorship 1: Wheel Throwing with Ben Hernandez
    Thursdays, 3:30-5:30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27
    Ben Hernandez is joining us from Bellingham, Washington and is bringing a wealth of pottery skill. He is fluent in Spanish, and is excited to work with kids who are serious about learning wheel throwing.

  • June Mentorship 2: Narrative Comics with Laura Cañas
    Thursdays, 3:30-5:30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27
    Laura Cañas is a Colombian painter, illustrator, and printmaker, currently living in Texas. Her art features a focus on graphic narratives. Laura is looking forward to working with kids on creating personal graphic/comic narratives. She is also a native Spanish speaker.

  • July Mentorship 1: Printmaking with Coco Leeper
    Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30, 7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24
    Coco Leeper is a talented multi-media artist joining us from California. She is a skilled illustrator and printmaker, and will be guiding kids on different techniques in the print studio including multi-color reduction linoleum cuts, and screen printing. Kids will learn these advanced techniques to help them tell personal visual stories.

  • July Mentorship 2: Mural Design and Painting with Maya Djiji
    Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30, 7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24
    This summer will mark Maya Djiji’s third year as an Alchemy AIR. In 2022, she created an intricate stained glass piece for the welcome kiosk at Alchemy, and this year she will be leading students in designing and painting the floor of the kiosk. Students will create a unique element that fits into the overall design, and will work together on a mural that will be permanently featured in Alchemy’s magical kiosk!

  • August Mentorship 1: Clay and Design with Maren Lamb
    Mondays, 3:30-5:30, 8/5, 8/12, 8/19, 8/26
    Maren Lamb is a printmaker and ceramicist joining us from Greensboro, NC. She will be working with kids in ceramics, with a special focus on surface design and decoration, using techniques like sgraffito, underglaze painting, and paper slip stenciling. Maren is also fluent in Spanish.

  • August Mentorship 2: Mixed Media Print + Textiles with Sophie Stratyner
    Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30, 8/7, 8/14, 8/21, 8/28
    Sophie Stratyner works across a variety of media, including textiles, botanical dye, and printmaking. Students in this mentorship will explore a range of techniques, including cyanotype sun printing and creating unique soft-books. There will be lots of outdoor time during this session- walking trails, collecting leaves and flowers for botanical prints, etc.