13 June 2023
The Helpmann Academy has awarded five emerging creatives across a range of creative disciplines including music, theatre and visual arts with up to $3,000 each in support, through the first round of Elevate Mentorships for 2023.
The Elevate Mentorship Program is one of Helpmann’s most valuable programs, presented by Commonwealth Private and supported through a giving circle of key philanthropic patrons. The Elevate Mentorship program matches graduates with established professionals to undertake specifically designed mentorship programs. The program aims to enable career development through further learning, development of skills, advice, and networking at a time of transition.
Since 2002, we have has facilitated over 200 mentorships for South Australian emerging artists. Congratulations to the following Helpmann Academy Elevate Mentorship recipients!
Anika Gardener (Flinders University graduate) is an emerging artist interested in the intersection between the disciplines of cognitive science and sculpture. With a sculptural background of bronze and metal, emphasising materiality and form, they are now shifting their practice. Anika has the rare opportunity to embark on a mentorship with one of Australia’s most iconic contemporary visual artists, Stelarc. Together the pair will interrogate the intersections of robotics, cognitive sciences and art, to support the development of Anika’s future work.
“After recently pivoting my practice to a more technologically and scientifically infused space, this opportunity has the potential to accelerate my learning and allow me to get deeper into the thematic tensions of robotics and the augmented body”
Anika Gardner
Kate Hwang (University of Adelaide) Kate Hwang is an emerging cellist and recent graduate from the Elder Conservatorium of Music. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Music Studies at the Queensland Conservatorium, under the tutelage of Professor György Déri. Kate will be mentored by leading cellist Hyung Suk Bae, Associate Principal Cellist at Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Through the mentorship Kate is hoping to refine her technique and expand her musicality while gaining valuable experience with ensemble playing and collaboration.
Kiah Lanagan (University of Adelaide) is an emerging vocalist who completed a Bachelor of Music (Music Performance -Jazz). Kiah embraces the art and science of musicianship as a continuum throughout life and has an unremitting quest for a deeper understanding of the craft. She is just returned from playing the illustrious South by SouthWest (SXSW) Music Festival in Austin TX USA, and will be mentored by Brooklyn based musician, Aubrey Haddard whose performance at SXSW caught Kiah’s attention.
Stephanie Doddridge (University of South Australia) is a multidisciplinary artist predominantly working with ceramics, textiles, sculpture and printmaking methods using both traditional and natural materials from nature. Stephanie will have the opportunity to develop her practice with the support of the beloved South Australian artist, Bridget Currie. Together they will explore how gestural mark making and forms can be articulated in Stephanie’s practice, as she seeks to create more abstracted works.
“I have been inspired by Bridget Currie since I saw her exhibition at ACE Open, ‘Message from the meadow’, in 2021… the main ideas within my practice are similar to hers, namely drawing upon emotions and states of mind and making them tangible and being inspired by ecology. The guidance of a mentor will benefit my practice as I embark on my first solo exhibitions. I look forward to Bridget pushing me to explore new directions in printmaking and ceramics.”
Stephanie Doddridge
Zarek Wentzell (University of Adelaide) is 2022 graduate from the Bachelor of Music Theatre at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide. While at university, he had the privilege to be in the Australian premier of In Pieces: A New Musical (directed by George Torbay) at the Adelaide Festival Centre. Zarek will be mentored by master vocal coach, Tim Smith.
“To have the opportunity to practice with and learn from a world-renowned practitioner such as Tim is truly such an honour that I cannot even begin to describe the worth this experience brings to my career.”
Zarek Wentzell
If you’re looking to expand your practice, consider applying for an Helpmann Academy Elevate Mentorship! Round 2 opens Monday 25 September 2023.
Major Partner and Program Champions:
Images: (1) Anika Gardner in the studio, photo by Morgan Sette (2) Kate Hwang, photo by the Elder Conservatorium of Music (3) Kiah Lanagan, photo supplied (4) Stephanie Doddridge ‘Walnuts’ (detail), photo by Michael Haines and (5) Zarek Wentzell still from show reel, supplied.