Kent Bellows Mentoring Program
Joslyn's Kent Bellows Mentoring Program is dedicated to building
creative capacity in teens, fostering artistic community, and
encouraging the mentoring spirit in the arts. We offer small-group, teen art programs in many areas, allowing students to try a number of different mediums, techniques and formats. Students are encouraged to meet and connect with peers from different schools, learn new skills and explore unfamiliar art forms.
For more information on our programs, please visit our KBMP Vimeo page or our Teens at Joslyn Facebook page.
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Program History
In January 2014, Joslyn Art Museum welcomed into its family the newly
named Kent Bellows Mentoring Program and ownership of the Kent Bellows Studio, located at 33rd and Leavenworth Street in Omaha. In 2007, a
nonprofit organization was established to create an art mentor program
for teens — the legacy of Nebraska-born artist Kent Bellows (1949–2005),
whose realist work, including the self-portrait at right, is part of Joslyn’s collection. That entity
dissolved at the end of 2013, and Joslyn assumed responsibility for the
future of its successful program, recognized for its dynamic vision,
unique and versatile curriculum model, and exceptional work with young
people. Kent Bellows Studio remains the home base for the Mentoring
Program and — as an integral piece of Joslyn’s whole — the program allows the Museum to significantly expand its active engagement of teens,
local artist mentors, and youth agencies throughout the metro area. The
identity and integrity of this highly respected program, which helps
develop the creative voice of youth, remains intact, with promise
for growth and diversification.
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CERAMICS
In this program you will explore various construction and glazing methods for working with clay. You will also develop professional ceramic studio practices and learn how to express meaningful ideas through objects.
DIGITAL ANIMATION & PAINTING
In this tech-savvy program, you will work with digital software to create imagery, narrative animation, and motion graphics. You will learn how to work with drawing tablets and Adobe products to render digital bitmap paintings, vector graphics, and original animations. 3D printing and modeling tools are also available to you.
FASHION DESIGN
In this program you will explore fashion as art. You will work closely with a working fashion artist to create wearable designs out of a variety of fabric and experimental materials that will be displayed on the runway!
MIXED MEDIA
In this program you will experiment with different combinations of art making methods and mediums while exploring the potential of alternative craft and art tools. You will learn about other mixed media artists while developing your own experimental style and process.
MUSIC PRODUCTION
This program investigates the use of technology and traditional instruments as music making tools. You will work closely with a talented mentor using Ableton Live to create music and sound art that can be performed live.
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MURAL
In this program matches professional mural painters with young artists to create public art for the community. Each mural is designed by the mentor and mentees in response to community research and in collaboration with Omaha Public Works. Traditional latex and aerosol paints are used separately or in combination to achieve different visual effects. To date, students and mentors of this mural arts program have completed over 50 community murals.
MORE DETAILS 
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PAINTING
In this program you will investigate various painting
techniques, strategies, and forms while also learning about historical
and modern artists using the medium. You will work closely with your mentor to develop and display original paintings
in either oil, acrylic, or watercolor.
PHOTOGRAPHY
In this program you will be exposed to traditional photographic
processes using black and white film and darkroom practices. Emphasis
will be placed on your own ideas that you would like to capture and how
to properly enlarge and develop them into prints.
PRINTMAKING
In this program you will be exposed to a variety of printmaking methods
including intaglio, relief, and litho. Emphasis will be placed
on expressing your own visual ideas and a thorough understanding of the
printmaking art form.
SCREEN PRINTING
In this program you will learn the
basics of photo-emulsion screen printing with hands on exposing,
printing, and registering onto paper, fabric, or any other experimental
medium. Emphasis is placed on creating designs digitally that speak on
social or political issues.
SCULPTURE
In this program you will build the spatial thinking
skills necessary for rendering sculptural forms in clay, metal, wood,
plaster, and/or plastics. You will learn molding and casting techniques,
and explore a history of sculpture making. Emphasis is placed on
hands-on construction methods.
WEAVING AND TEXTILES
In this
program you will have the option to create works using fiber as your
main medium. You will be taught how to weave on a small loom as well as
paint or screen print unique designs on pre-made clothing.
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