20 August 2024
The Elevate Mentorship program is one of Helpmann Academy’s longest-running initiatives, offering mentoring and specialist professional development to emerging creatives. In 2024, three emerging artists have been awarded tailored mentorships, each valued at up to $3,000.
Proudly supported by a circle of generous philanthropic patrons and the Government of South Australia through Arts South Australia, the program connects graduates with established professionals for an artist-led mentorship designed to foster career growth and development.
Congratulations to the following recipients of the Helpmann Academy Elevate Mentorship 2024!
Antoni Phillips (Flinders University) is a visual artist working with sculpture, installation art, and steel. His work explores how installation art enhances self-awareness of body and space. Antoni will embark on a mentorship by multidisciplinary artist Nat Penney to refine his technical skills, gain valuable industry insight and expand his professional network within the creative arts industry in South Australia. This mentorship will allow Antoni to leverage practical and technical knowledge to produce work for others to support his independence financially, potential for collaboration, and to fuel his own artistic collaboration.
“This mentorship will expand my practice exponentially by providing access to an artist/industry professional working with similar art forms and materials who is further along in their career and can transfer skills and knowledge in a hands-on and practical way.”
Antoni Phillips, 2024 Recipient
Bryan May (University of South Australia) is a glass artist working and residing in Adelaide, on Kaurna land. Born in Brisbane, Meanjin Turrubul country, he studied Contemporary Art with a focus on blown, cast, and kiln-formed glass. His works are a sculptural, abstract, and conceptual exploration of materiality, absence and presence, and light and shade. The pieces are based on intensely personal stories; however, he chooses not to share these with a viewer. Bryan will be mentored by Llewelyn Ash, a glassblower of 16 years celebrated for his diverse range of commissioned works, showcasing artistic versatility. This mentorship will serve as a pivotal moment in Bryan’s career, aimed at refining his craft, developing his business acumen, and solidifying his space in the contemporary art landscape.
“The Elevate Mentorship with Llewellyn Ash presents a transformative opportunity to delve deeper into the complexities of glass art and entrepreneurship.”
Bryan May, 2024 Recipient
Elinor Warwick (University of Adelaide) is a performer and musician who under Elizabeth Layton at the Elder Conservatorium completed a Bachelor of Music (Advanced), Honors (1st Class) in 2023. She is currently performing as a casual freelancer with the Adelaide Concert Orchestra, ASO Floods of Fire, Adelaide Baroque, and Canberra Symphony Orchestra as well as at numerous functions and weddings. Elinor will be mentored by Helen Ayres, a Doctoral graduate of the University of Melbourne and a current violin teacher at the Open Music Academy, University of Adelaide. A mentorship with Helen will support Elinor with the multifaceted nature of a career as a professional musician including technical work, solo and chamber music, and required admin. Along with the development of a well-structured 5-year career plan.
“The outcomes of this mentorship will include casual auditions for CSO (Nov 24), ASO, SSO, MSO and TSO when available. Preparation will include feedback on orchestral excerpts, as well as guidance on own choice piece. The solo repertoire required for the audition will also be workshopped and performed at a recital at the Baroque Hall North Adelaide.”
Elinor Warwick, 2024 Recipient
The Elevate Mentorship Program is proudly supported through a giving circle of philanthropic patrons and the Government of South Australia through Arts South Australia.
Images: (1) Work In Progress, Promo for Viscera 2024, Antoni Phillips. Image courtesy of the artist. (2) Sample by Bryan May. Image courtesy of the artist. (3) Elinor Warwick. Image courtesy of St Mark’s College.