Catapult

Guildhouse’s flagship Catapult mentorship program provides South Australian artists with the critical funding and support to engage in an artist-led mentorship with established practitioners from Australia and beyond.
Catapult is principally supported by the Guildhouse Creative Champions supporter circle. The program actively encourages participation from regional South Australian creatives through a partnership with Country Arts SA.
To have a deep connection to the Catapult Program, become a Creative Champion, or have your organisation sponsor your own Catapult Mentorship opportunity – learn more here.
Catapult is bolstered by Mentor Mentee, an important research study in partnership with the University of South Australia, to examine the impact of mentorships on artistic careers over time, read the study.

Catapult 2025

Recipients

Rebecca Palmer + Laura Wills

Rebecca Palmer is a South Australian mural artist based on the Eyre Peninsula, Barngarla Country, who is being mentored by Lara Wills, to provide a framework and support with direction for their practice. 

Meg Mader + Dan Withey

Meg Mader is a regional South Australian illustrative artist working with Dan Withey. Meg is looking to push their practice further and strengthen their artistic voice.

Alyssa Powell-Ascura + Isabel and Alfredo Aquilizan

Recognised for her emerging conceptual practice, Alyssa Powell-Ascura is being mentored by internationally-acclaimed duo Isabel and Alfredo Aquilizan to advance her material exploration, community collaboration, and proposes to undertake an in-person residency with the Aquilizans in the Philippines.

Iteka Ukarla Sanderson-Bromley + Fruzsi Kenez

Working across acrylic, ceramics, silks, digital art, and mixed media, emerging Aboriginal artist Iteka Ukarla Sanderson-Bromley is undertaking a mentorship with Fruzsi Kenez to develop sustainable ceramic hand-building practices alongside tailored arts industry advice.

Catapult 2024

Recipients 

Georgina Mills + Abdul-Rahman Abdullah

Figurative sculptor Georgina Mills worked with sculpture and installation artist Abdul-Rahman Abdullah to deepen concepts and explore how the traditional foundations of her work can evolve in contemporary settings.

John ‘Bundy’ Bannerman + Karl Meyer

Artist John ‘Bundy’ Bannerman undertook a mentorship with artist and designer Karl Meyer to expand his painting practice and develop sculpture and installation skills.

Teresa Busuttil + Ania Freer

Multidisciplinary artist Teresa Busuttil has worked with Australian-Jamaican artist, curator and filmmaker Ania Freer to explore cultural connections, storytelling, identity and maintaining an international practice.

Emma Fuss + Lori Pensini

Regional artist Emma Fuss worked with Western Australian based artist Lori Pensini to push boundaries and expand the concepts and narratives within her work.

Rebecca Flack + Yan Palmer

Regional photographer Rebecca Flack has worked with Utah-based photographer Yan Palmer to foster a more intentional creative path and enhance storytelling in her practice.

Lottie Emma + Kasia Tons

Regionally based textile artist Lottie Emma has worked with Kasia Tons to refine technical skills, enhance conceptual articulation and develop an authentic, experimental textile practice.

Catapult 2023

Recipients 

Dave Court + Soda Jerk

Multi-interdisciplinary artist Dave Court has undertaken a mentorship with internationally renowned duo Soda Jerk to develop, clarify and deepen conceptual aspects of his work. 

Edwina Cooper and Penelope Cain

Sculpture and installation-based artist Edwina Cooper has worked with Sydneybased interdisciplinary artist Penelope Cain who learned about incorporating environmental sciences and research as core motivators in artistic practice.

Jingwei Bu + Lindy Lee

Multidisciplinary artist Jingwei Bu worked with acclaimed contemporary artist Lindy Leefocusing on career development pathways, project development support, advice on collaborating and working with institutions, and sharing experiences of working as POC artists.

Shirley Jianzhen Wu and Mark Eliott

Emerging contemporary artist Shirley Jianzhen Wu worked with contemporary glass artist Mark Eliott. The purpose of the mentorship was to refine hollow flamework glassblowing skills in larger scale and gained deeper understanding of glass installation. 

Fiona Castle-Schmidt + Julia Robinson

Emerging artist Fiona Castle-Schmidt worked with sculpture and installation-based artist Julia Robinson to develop her emerging upholstery wall sculpture practice.  

Kat Korossy + Kate Kurucz

KatKorossy undertook a mentorship with artist Kate Kurucz, intending to elevate her artistic practice by integrating abstract, realism and surrealism techniques, expanding creative horizons. 

Lyn Anstey + Sophie Hann

Landscape and portrait artist Lyn Anstey undertook a mentorship with Sophie Hann with a focus on improving technical skills and strengthening concepts aiding the continuation of her body of work. 

Catapult 2022

Recipients 

Eleanor Alice + William Mackinnon

Painter Eleanor Alice has worked with esteemed international artist William MacKinnon with a focus on creative process and technique. 

Jonathan Kim + Taerim Claire Jeon

Multidisciplinary artist Jonathan Kim has worked with Sydney-based Jogakbo artist Taerim Claire Jeon to expand his Jogakbo paintings into material works.

Michael Carney + Mark Valenzuela

Emerging contemporary artist Michael Carney worked with multidisciplinary artist Mark Valenzuela to learn new building and firing techniques to create larger scale work and installations while exploring experimental approaches to exhibiting.

Naomi Hunter + Michelle Kelly

Glass sculptor Naomi Hunter worked with metal artist Michelle Kelly to extend her practice through specialised metal fabrication techniques.

Oakey + Catherine Truman

Emerging contemporary artist Oakey worked with established jewellery and object artist Catherine Truman focussing on practice development and concepts, materials and techniques.

Orlando Mee + Tim Gruchy

Regional multimedia artist Orlando Mee worked with digital artist Tim Gruchy, to take his software-based practice into the physical realm of the gallery by developing hardware-based interactive installations.

Heather Kamarra Shearer + Sera Waters

Heather Kamarra Shearer, a respected Arrernte (regional) artist was mentored by Dr. Sera Waters, renowned academic and textile artist, to learn new and advanced techniques in Embroidery.

Catapult 2021

Recipients
Anna Gore + Aldo Iacobelli

Multidisciplinary artist Anna Gore worked with accomplished artist Aldo Iacobelli to develop her technical skills and gain a deeper appreciation of her field of practice and it’s history.

Carly Snoswell + Tarryn Gill

Textile artist Carly Snoswell was mentored by multidisciplinary artist Tarryn Gill to explore sustainable methods of upscaling her work, creating archival artworks, and undertaking commercial gallery representation.

Cynthia Schwertsik + Joshua Sofaer

Cross-disciplinary artist Cynthia Schwertsik worked with London-based artist Joshua Sofaer to extend her practice and build international relationships.

Dan Withey + Richard Lewer

Mid-career artist Dan Withey undertook a mentorship with acclaimed contemporary artist Richard Lewer to refine his practice and develop strategies for a sustainable career.

Matea Gluscevic + Eugenia Neave

Shoemaker and artist Matea Gluscevic was mentored by accomplished shoemaker and artist Eugenia Neave to develop her practical and sculptural skill set.

Monika Morgenstern + Sasha Grbich

Regional artist Monika Morgenstern worked with mid-career artist and experienced videographer Sasha Grbich on pushing the boundaries of her film and animation skills.

Kristal Matthews + Cedric Varcoe

Ngunawal woman and regional artist Kristal Matthews worked with Ngarrindjeri and Narangga artist and experienced muralist Cedric Varcoe to develop her skills in creating large-scale public art.

Kirsten Johnston + Margaret Worth

Regional artist Kirsten Johnston worked with Margaret Worth develop her knowledge and skills in abstraction.

Catapult 2020

Recipients
Elyas Alavi + Khaled Sabsabi

Emerging artist Elyas Alavi worked with established installation artist Khaled Sabsabi to develop his technical and conceptual skills and broaden his visual language.

Georgia Button + Nicholas Folland

Emerging multidisciplinary artist Georgia Button worked with Adelaide-based artist and educator Nicholas Folland to develop a road map for her artistic career, pinpointing opportunities that will enable her to fulfil immediate, mid-term and long-term goals as a professional visual artist.

Gus Clutterbuck + Mark Valenzuela

Mid-career ceramicist Gus Clutterbuck undertook a mentorship with Mark Valenzuela to evolve his conceptual development and design of large scale ceramic installation works and figurative imagery.

James Howe + Gray Hawk

Furniture designer and maker James Howe worked with prominent Adelaide master maker Gray Hawk to develop his skills in woodworking and furniture production.

Karen Carr + Rosii Pedler

Self-taught community artist Karen Carr aimed in this mentorship, to diversify her practice by working with Rosii Pedler to develop her ceramics skills and eventually combine hand built ceramics into her stone sculptures.

Matthew Moore + Mary-Jean Richardson

Emerging artist Matthew Moore developed his oil painting and portraiture skills with established artist and visual arts lecturer Mary-Jean Richardson.

Monte Masi + Hew Parham

Monte Masi worked with Adelaide-based actor, clown and teacher Hew Parham to learn new skills relating to live performance in a contemporary art context, with a focus on contemporary clowning practice and associated techniques.

Sarra Tzijan + Christian Hall

Emerging Indian-Australian contemporary metal artist Sarra Tzijan worked with mentor jeweller and metalsmith Christian Hall to develop her technical and conceptual skills and establish her production practice.

Read: Sarra Tzijan on Catapult

Sam Gold + Jane Robertson + David Pedler

Ceramicist Sam Gold undertook a two-pronged mentorship to investigate body and surface treatment of clay with established ceramicist Jane Robertson and harvesting local clays with established ceramicist David Pedler.

Read: Sam Gold on Catapult

Fruzsi Kenez + Gerry Wedd

Acclaimed ceramicist Gerry Wedd mentored illustrator and ceramicist Fruzsi Kenez in producing large ceramic vessels with nuanced illustration techniques such as cobalt painting and sgraffito in his Port Elliot studio.

Tony Wilson + Thomas Readett

Kaunra/Ngarrindjeri/Narrunga artist Tony Wilson undertook a mentorship with established artist and Education Officer for Tarnanthi Thomas Readett. Tony worked to develop and refine his portraiture skills in addition to expanding his professional networks.

Zoë Brooks + Liam Benson

Interdisciplinary artist Zoë Brooks worked with multidisciplinary artist Liam Benson to gain deeper understanding of best practice working with community in a contemporary arts practice.

White drawing on black background creating detailed concentric circles.

Catapult 2019

Recipients
Chris De Rosa + Trent Walter

Building on her existing practice of printmaking in the expanded field, Chris De Rosa worked with mentor Trent Walker (Negative Press studio) to develop both technical and conceptual skills while investigating the art of the artist book.

Kristel Britcher + Katharine Coleman

Scottish glass artist Katharine Coleman worked with mentee Kristel Britcher at the Corning Museum of Glass in New York, developing and refining skills in the lesser known technique of copper wheel engraving, cementing Britcher’s own skills as one of the few artists in Australia utilizing the technique within contemporary landscape.

Brooke Walker + Tyrone 'Rone' Wright

Expanding her environmentalist realist painting arts practice, Brooke Walker visited Melbourne to learn under mentor and established street artist ‘Rone’. Through experience in scaling up, new materials and project management Brooke was trained in best practice to take her works exploring human and animal relationships to new audiences and enrich public spaces.

Read: Brooke Walker on Catapult

Dr Maarten Daudeij + Dr Gavin Malone + Karl Winda Telfer

Through conversation and time spent on Lot 50-Kanyanyapilla, Dr Maarten Daudeij informed his writing and community practice around the rights and responsibilities of artists working on unceded land, with leading thinkers and activists Dr Gavin Malone and Karl Winda Telfer.

Read: Maarten Daudeij on Catapult

Leonie Westbrook + Catherine Truman

Broadening her practice to encompass more experimental forms and modes of making, jeweler Leonie with mentor Catherine Truman not only extended her practice but examined the ergonomic aspects of her practice for a sustainable career.

Regine Schwarzer + Barbara Ryman

With internationally recognized NSW based enameller Barbara Ryman, jeweler Regine Schwarzer revisited her skills in traditional and Japanese enameling techniques, expanding her practice and allowing conceptual and technical growth.

Read: Regina Schwarzer on Catapult

Rita Kellaway + Lisa Cahill

Emerging kiln formed glass artist Rita Kellaway worked with internationally recognized glass artist Lisa Cahill to develop her business strategies, further technical skills and build a strong and supportive national network.

Read: Rita Kellaway on Catapult

Tom Borgas + Jason Waterhouse

Extending the material and technical diversity of this sculptural work, Tom developed his gallery networks and art in public spaces strategies with experienced artist and gallerist Jason Waterhouse.

Read: Tom Borgas on Catapult

James Dodd + Cameron Robbins

Working with an established artist with whom he has a shared set of ideas, James Dodd was mentored by Cameron Robbins, sharing industry and technical knowledge pertinent to the specific ways of making and presenting within their field.

Read: James Dodd on Catapult

White drawing on black background creating detailed concentric circles.

Catapult 2018

Recipients
Christopher Williams + Johannes Sistermanns

Internationally renowned (and based) artist Johannes Sistermanns spent dedicated time with Christopher Williams in his personal studio to develop an understanding of the technical application of transducer technology in sound sculpture. Through critical exchange and sharing listening sessions Williams built on his already strong knowledge and experience within his field of sound art to develop compositional approaches to the design of sound environments and soundscape installation.

Bridget Currie + Tamara Hardman

Tamara Hardman brought her extensive experience and acclaim from the film industry to Bridget Currie, allowing Currie to capture and add to her sculpture and performance heavy practice through moving image.

Kaspar Schmidt Mumm + Darren O'Donnell

Expanding his experience in social arts practice, Kaspar Schmidt Mumm travelled to Canada to work with Darren O’Donell the Artistic Director of experimental art company Mammalian Diving Reflex. Schmidt Mumm developed his street performance, social data gathering and audience controlled narrative by learning from Mammalian’s inner workings.

Jane Skeer + Richard Lewer

While addressing the methods and methodologies within her art practice, Jane Skeer worked with Melbourne artist Richard Lewer to push personal boundaries to undertake large scale community projects and navigate the national art industry with clarity and guidance.

Brianna Speight + Mish Grigor

Mentee Brianna Speight unpacked connections between performance and photography with Melbourne based experimental performance artist Mish Grigor. Speight and Grigor connected through conceptual and methodological cross-overs such as humour, critical theory and gender, to consolidate and strengthen Speights conceptual path.

Gail Hocking + Sasha Grbich

Working with acclaimed sound artist Sasha Grbich, Hocking undertook a deeper exploration into the body, materiality and nature interconnections already evident within Hockings work – with a particular focus on sound recording, editing and video documentation in a site – specific environment.

Lara Tilbrook + Sera Waters

Engaging with writer and maker Sera Waters, Lara Tilbrook will expand and evolve the purpose of her practice with a self-assured definition. With parallels between the artists themesof environmental preservation, cultural values and historical sentiment of adornments and objects Tilbrook will be guided by an understanding hand.

Lesa Farrant + Irianna Kanellopoulou

Working with Melbourne based master mould maker, ceramic artist Lesa Farrant learnt the complex skill of 2, 3 and piece mould making. This greatly expanded the breadth of Farrant’s object making and in turn, her narrative.

Cindy Durant + Regine Schwarzer

Regine Schwarzer is a highly trained silver and goldsmith who informed Cindy Durant’s understanding of specific jewellery making processes, shaping the remotely located artists practice towards an expanded sustainable practice.

Images (L-R): Catapult mentee John Bundy Bannerman (right) with mentor Karl Meyer. Photograph Lana Adams; Studio of Meg Mader, photograph Lana Adams; Georgina Mills, photograph Lana Adams; Jingwei Bu, photograph Lana Adams; Eleanor Zecchin, New yard, old memories, 2016. Image courtesy the artist; Matea Gluscevic. Image courtesy the artist; Elyas Alavi, Naan Bread (detail), video installation still, 2017. Photograph Grant Hancock; Chris DeRosa, Seaflora Etchings, 2018. Image courtesy the artist; Bridget Currie, work in progress, 2018. Image courtesy the artist.