Gallery Exhibitions
SIDExSIDE: projectMENTOR
May 8, 2026 - June 6, 2026
Now in its 6th year, projectMENTOR has gained acclaim and a buzz of excitement!
projectART has paired ten middle- and high-school students with professional artists for a semester-long mentorship that culminates in a gallery exhibition featuring their artwork. For the past few months, the students, with the guidance of their artists mentors, have been working diligently on their end-of-term projects, learning new techniques and the ins and outs of creating art in that specific medium.
Students in projectMENTOR experience the creative process from concept to sale, learning both the artistic and business aspects of being a working artist. They have learned how to sign contracts and assign value to their work in order for their final pieces to be shown in a professional gallery exhibition at ARTSPACE!
SIDExSIDE: projectMENTOR will commence with an opening reception on May 8, 2026 from 6-8 pm at ARTSPACE. All ages are encouraged to attend!
2026 Artist-Student Pairs
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Erica Smith & Kamren
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Lydia Johns & Tess
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Brian Delano & Cullen
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Melanie Levin & Lenora
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Heather Carter & Dorian
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Melanie Machann & Ada
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Leigh Weinberg & Finley
Erica Smith & Kamren
Erica and tenth-grader Kamren are working on a collaborative piece, the first being a large, built canvas that is painted to be used as a backdrop for a portrait photo session for two other mentees, Drew and Garner. Their project will be shown in the gallery with painted and stained floral props that Kamren has designed to emulate what would be made for a theatre production.
Lydia Johns & Tess
Tenth-grader Tess is making many types of jewelry using a variety of techniques with artist Lydia's guidance. She has learned how to fuse glass to form beads, inlay stones in metal, and how to mold, form, and kiln-fire silver clay.
Brian Delano & Cullen
Brian and eighth-grader Cullen are creating digital drawings of intricate ring designs to 3-D print and paint. For some of these rings, Brian and Cullen are 3-D printing resin molds to cast into metal rings.
Melanie Levin & Lenora
Artist Melanie and 8th-grader Lenora are creating five acrylic and sharpie paintings--some collaborative while the others are solely created by Lenora--all separately placed to create a full, fragmented figure! Their artworks show strong themes of togetherness, expressive color, and organic shapes.
Heather Carter & Dorian
Dorian and Heather have been working outside of both their comfort zones—experimenting with layering colors of ink and images to create a variety of collages and gelli prints.
Melanie Machann & Ada
Ada & Melanie carefully designed and created two ceramic projects that focus on intense detail through carving, coloring, and texturing ceramic clay. Both projects are full-body dragons that represent the playfulness and nostalgia of fantasy.
Leigh Weinberg & Finley
