03/28/2023
Laguna College of Art + Design announces new art industry partners as part of The Professional Mentor Program for fine art students.
The program which began as a collaboration with First Thursdays Art Walk gallery members in 2001, for students to showcase their art has expanded to include the Laguna Art Museum, the Moulton Museum, and accomplished artist-mentors from across the country.
LAGUNA BEACH, CA (March 21 , 2023) - Laguna College of Art + Design (LCAD), one of the top colleges of art and design in the nation, has announced that six talented students from its BFA in Fine Arts program will be showcasing their artwork in select Laguna Beach art galleries where they learn aspects of gallery exhibitions form presenting artwork professionally to running a thriving gallery. The students' participation in this exhibition is part of LCAD's Professional Mentor Program, an annual collaboration with Laguna Beach First Thursdays Art Walk member galleries.
This year's FTAW gallery mentors include: Artist Eye Gallery, saltfineart, Laguna Art Museum, LCAD Gallery and Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA)Gallery.
Four students, will learn about curatorial and administrative aspects of the art world from Laguna Art Museum (LAM), Moulton Museum, and the LCAD Gallery. Another five students will have the opportunity to receive private mentoring from renowned studio artists from across the country. This initiative is a testament to LCAD's commitment to providing its students with invaluable experiences and opportunities to advance their artistic careers.
This program matches students with art world professionals who will serve as mentors in their areas of expertise. Through this unique initiative, students will gain hands-on knowledge of the business side of the art world, and benefit from the valuable feedback of experienced mentors.
Notably, a portion of the proceeds generated from the sale of student artwork will go towards supporting scholarships, in addition to benefiting the student artists themselves. The Mentor Program is an exceptional opportunity for aspiring artists to gain practical experience and knowledge while simultaneously giving back to the artistic community.
“There is neither another mentor program nor art walk like this in the nation,” Program founder and LCAD Director of Career Services Robin Fuld said. “Laguna Beach is unique among art communities in that its First Thursdays Art Walk brings together world-class galleries with one of the nation’s top art and design schools to enhance student education, giving them a competitive edge in the professional art world. ”
Many LCAD Fine Arts alumni who have participated in this program have continued their careers with the mentoring galleries as exhibitors, assistants, installers, consultants and managers.
"The Professional Mentor Program at Laguna College of Art + Design provides a valuable opportunity for students pursuing a BFA in Fine Arts to enhance their professional practices and gain firsthand knowledge of the art industry. As noted by Hope Railey, Chair of Fine Arts at LCAD, the program enables students to engage with individual gallerists in the vibrant Laguna Beach arts community, and learn about the inner workings of the business of art. By putting the skills they acquire in our Professional Studies course into action, students can better prepare themselves for a successful career in the arts."
The 2023 LCAD Professional Mentor Program exhibition will take place on First Thursdays Art Walk from 6:00 – 9:00 on April 6, 2023. The public is invited and encouraged to tour participating galleries to view student art works.
For more information on the participating member galleries and students, please visit www.facebook.com/LCADProfessionalMentorProgram, www.lcad.edu , or www.firstthursdaysartwalk.org.
