As part of CHIP Collective’s goal of promoting positive social change and community outreach through comics, we are introducing: MentorCHIPs!
MentorCHIPs
MentorCHIP is an online/remotely-based mentorship system run through CHIP Collective, pairing working artists that have been involved in CHIP Collective titles with young and/or aspiring artists interested in pursuing similar professional or artistic routes as them.
Each MentorCHIP runs between 4-6 weeks (depending on the mentor), during which the mentor and mentee will be in contact twice a week.
Meet our mentors for 2024 below!
Meet The Mentors
Each mentor’s section includes details about the artist and their craft, what their mentorship will offer, when their mentoring period is predicted to start, and the duration of their mentorship.
Mairi Isla
“Within my practice, I enjoy dabbling in a range of different tools and processes – my particular favourites being ceramics and traditional drawing methods.
Through this mentorship I’d like to share some of what I've picked up in my 5+ years as a practising part-time maker. In the beginning, it can be hard to know where to start to get involved in the creative community or what to explore within your work – I'm here to help support with that! I have experience with building portfolios, funding applications, commissions, and work experience in creative organisations at different levels.”
Mentorship start date:
August 6th 2024
Mentorship duration:
4 weeks
Mentorship contact days:
Tuesdays or Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays
Mentorship overview:
A feedback & advice-based mentorship, suitable for those interested in building up their freelance career. The mentorship will cover key elements of freelancing, including: setting up a portfolio website, seeking out paid opportunities, seeking out exhibiting opportunities, organising community projects and collaborations, along with other foundational information regarding setting up and finding direction in a freelance career.
Letty Wilson
“I'm a comic creator and illustrator based in Glasgow, originally from the West Highlands. My work focuses on nature and organic forms, and takes inspiration from folklore and traditional storytelling, finding the queer and overlooked voices in older tales.
I often work in varied media, and tell stories that have improvised elements, and I'm eager to help mentees find the things in their stories that they are excited for, and open up possibilities for play and experimentation in their own storytelling.”
Mentorship start date:
August 29th 2024
Mentorship duration:
6 weeks
Mentorship contact days:
Thursdays, Saturdays or Sundays
Mentorship overview:
A project & feedback-based mentorship, where prospective mentees are asked to have a short (8-page max) work-in-progress comic project or idea to develop over the course of the mentorship. The project can be at any stage at the start of the mentorship.
Ell J Walker
“I'm Ell, a comic artist and illustrator who lives in Edinburgh - and I love stories! As a mentor I'm excited to help someone tell theirs through comics and visual storytelling.
Comics are such a versatile medium that it can be easy to get lost in the process - I've been making comics for years now, and I still feel like I'm learning. I hope by sharing what experience I've gained through personal trial and error over the years, I could give someone else a leg-up!”
Mentorship start date:
September 3rd 2024
Mentorship duration:
5 weeks
Mentorship contact days:
Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays
Mentorship overview:
A project & feedback-based mentorship, where prospective mentees are asked to have a short (8-page max) work-in-progress comic project or idea to develop over the course of the mentorship. The project can be at any stage at the start of the mentorship.
Apply for a MentorCHIP
If you would like to be mentored by one of the mentors listed above, please complete this form by August 2nd, 2024.
Q: Are MentorCHIPs free?
A: Yes!
Q: Are MentorCHIPs open to all ages?
A: No - mentees must be at least 16 years of age. MentorCHIPs are geared towards people who want to enter the creative field at a professional level.
Q: How are the mentorships conducted?
A: All of the mentorships will be conducted primarily via email. Zoom calls may be offered if the mentor and mentee would like to also use this method of communication.
Q: As MentorCHIPs are online/remotely-based, how will my online safety be handled?
A: We have put together a MentorCHIP code of conduct that all participants - mentors and mentees alike - are required to read in full and sign. For mentees below the age of 18, a guardian’s signature is also required. Guardians may be present for any video or audio calls if they or the mentee wish, and if an alternative third party presence during calls is preferred, mentors or mentees can request a representative from CHIP (either Ashling or Cat) to join. If anyone is found to be acting in a way inconsistent with our code of conduct, CHIP Collective will respond appropriately.
If you would like any further information regarding the MentorCHIP program before applying, please feel free to contact us with your queries and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!