Mentoring

We are developing a new mentoring programme.

Mentoring from Plants & Colour teachers for creatives engaged in natural colour making at all stages of their practice, including students, graduates, emerging or established artists and makers, and self taught creatives.

Looking for support and feedback in your natural colour practice?

Perhaps you are looking for guidance on your professional development, or even just a particular project? You might be transitioning your studio practice from synthetic to natural materials and seeking guidance or you might be seeking some insightful dialogue on theories around natural colour, science, ecology, heritage crafts etc.

As well as pairing you with a natural colour mentor, for personalised, in-depth support, this programme will also connect you with a wider community through online mentee meet-ups so you will be exposed to different perspectives, experiences, and techniques.

Interested to join the programme?

Filling in this form will give you priority access to sign up when the programme launches.

Programme Structure

Opening Session: An online gathering of all mentors and mentees to launch the programme. For mentees to connect and meet the wider group, reflect on their practice and set intentions for the programme, identify goals and areas they would like to develop.

Six Mentoring Sessions: Six monthly one-to-one sessions of 1hr 30mins over Zoom.

Closing Session: An online gathering of all mentors and mentees. Reflecting on the past six months and looking forward with next steps. An opportunity to share their work/process and get feedback from the wider group if they wish to.

Sign Up Process

Mentees will be able to view online profiles of mentors and select a mentor they feel is right for them who has corresponding availability.
After signing up, mentees will share some information about themselves and their creative practice that will be shared with the Mentor.
Plants & Colour will connect the mentor and mentee together and initiate the mentorship.
Mentees and Mentors will receive email invitations to the opening and closing sessions. They will then meet at the pre-arranged times via the zoom link.

The Mentor Role:

This is not a teaching role: the mentor acts as a guide, advisor, and supporter.
Offering constructive feedback (both positive and negative)
A supportive role where mentees feel comfortable asking questions and sharing their concerns.
Linking mentees with resources, events, and opportunities.
Helping mentees set goals and track progress.
Active listening to the concerns and needs of their mentees, showing empathy and understanding.
Mentor Availability: The availability of mentors is limited to the duration of the live sessions, with a follow up email following the session.

Commitment

This programme requires the mentors and mentees to commit to the six month term plus opening and closing sessions. This programme is only feasible with the commitment of everyone to the pre-agreed plan.

If unexpected circumstances change mentors and mentees availability, they can communicate directly to rearrange sessions. We ask that the mentors and mentees try to stick to the pre-arranged times as much as possible as too much rescheduling can be time consuming to manage.