The Rural Art Mentorship Program application is now open for Indigenous artists.
In partnership with Mentoring Artists for Women's Art, the Rural Art Mentorship Program is a 10-month online program that will pair five emerging northern and rural artists with Lita Fontaine, a professional artist, and mentor.
Lita Fontaine is a mixed-media artist of Dakota, Anishinaabe, and Métis descent with roots in Long Plain and Sagkeeng First Nations. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Regina and has exhibited her textile works, paintings, and photographs in solo and group shows nationally.
Fontaine says it’s important to share knowledge.
“I carry some knowledge in regards to making art, so I think some of my responsibility as an Indigenous woman is to share that knowledge with other First Nations people, and that’s my everyday job.”
Fontaine says making art is a way to be productive, learn, and understand more about yourself, your community, and culture.
“Connecting with our people, our culture, making art together, healing together, and understanding each other. It’s actually a good approach for reconciliation as well. So that’s the way I’m looking at it.”
Fontaine hopes to cover a lot of ground in the 10-month program.
"I'm hoping to have the students understand the process of making a piece of art. There's also art literacy, I would like to share knowledge that with them. Also knowing what line is, what form is, what texture is, what colour is, sharing that knowledge that way I hope they can be better artists for carrying that knowledge."
Applications for the mentorship program are open, and those interested have until September 9th to apply.
