The Friends of the Torpedo Factory has announced a program which gives high school art students the opportunity to be mentored by a professional artist at the Torpedo Factory Art Center. 

The mentors answer the students questions on all that is involved in being a professional artisteducation, finding and maintaining a studio, marketing your artwork, etc. They also give advice and consultation on the students artwork.

The students are matched with a mentor by their high school art teacher who is given information about the artists who have volunteered to mentor.  Then, at the Orientation, the students and their mentors meet, then go to the mentors studio to get acquainted, discuss their interests, and decide on a day and time to meet.

The students meet with their mentors in the artists studio each week from early October to late March.  The student must complete at least one work of art in consultation with their mentor that will be graded by their teacher. 

At the end of the program, there is an exhibit of the students artwork in the Target Gallery in the Torpedo Factory.  At the reception, on the last day of the show, the National League of American Pen Women will present first and second place prizes to two students and a certificate to each student who completed the program.

This unique experience can help a student decide if they want to go on to study art in college and pursue a career in art, and provide a valuable addition to their college application.

For more information call Susan Lightsey at 703-360-5320.