Catapult Mentorships
The Catapult mentorship program provides creative professionals with essential funding and support to develop their artistic practice through a meaningful mentorship.
The self-directed research, professional development and creative practices of Catapult recipients show ambition, drive and dedication. South Australian mentees engage with mentors, locally, nationally and internationally to develop skills, realise goals and allow time to learn more about their – and others – creative practices.
The Guildhouse Catapult program actively encourages participation from regional practitioners. Country Arts SA is a proud supporter of this initiative to increase the participation of regional South Australian artists and arts workers in career development.
With the generous support of The Ian Potter Foundation and Guildhouse Creative Champions, we have provided over fifty-three mentorships to Guildhouse members. In partnership with The Art Gallery of South Australia we have awarded five First Nations artists mentorships through the Catapult + Tarnanthi program. In 2022, the mentorship model was extended to include the Catapult + Tarntanya mentorship program, delivered in partnership with City of Adelaide seeing two First Nations artists awarded mentorships.
Catapult is bolstered by an important research study in partnership with the University of South Australia to examine the impact of mentorships on artistic careers over time.
To have an opportunity like this, and the support, funding and exports urge that it entails, has completely revitalised what I feel is possible for my practice… I am far more ambitious now when I think about the next 5 years of my career and what I hope to achieve, exploring international opportunities, funding and a further mentorship. And the seed of all of this growth was Catapult.
Overall, the Catapult mentorship has been instrumental in helping me to strengthen my career goals in the creative sector. I am grateful for the guidance and support that Mark and Guildhouse have provided and feel more confident in my artistic path as a result.
Catapult is bolstered by an important research study in partnership with the University of South Australia to examine the impact of mentorships on artistic careers over time.
Images: Previous Catapult mentors and mentees. Photographs Sia Duff.
The Mentorships
Catapult
The Catapult mentorship program offers multiple mentorships valued at $5,000 for South Australian artists, craftspeople and designers.
Catapult 2024
Recipients
Charlotte Tatton with Fran O’Neill
Emerging artist Charlotte Tatton will work with contemporary abstract artist Fran O’Neill to explore palettes, large-scale paintings, collage, and expand her conceptual and professional development.
Emma Fuss with Lori Pensini
Regional artist Emma Fuss will work with Western Australian based artist Lori Pensini to push boundaries and expand the concepts and narratives within her work.
Georgina Mills with Abdul-Rahman Abdullah
Figurative sculptor Georgina Mills will work 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 with Karl Meyer
Artist John ‘Bundy’ Bannerman will undertake a mentorship with artist and designer Karl Meyer to expand his painting practice and develop sculpture and installation skills.
Lottie Emma with Kasia Tons
Regionally based textile artist Lottie Emma will work with Kasia Tons to refine technical skills, enhance conceptual articulation and develop an authentic, experimental textile practice.
Rebecca Flack with Yan Palmer
Regional photographer Rebecca Flack will work with Utah-based photographer Yan Palmer to foster a more intentional creative path and enhance storytelling in her practice.
Teresa Busuttil with Ania Freer
Multidisciplinary artist Teresa Busuttil with work with Australian-Jamaican artist, curator and filmmaker Ania Freer to explore cultural connections, storytelling, identity and maintaining an international practice.
Catapult 2023
Recipients
Dave Court and Soda Jerk
Multi-interdisciplinary artist Dave Court will be undertaking 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 will work with Sydney–based interdisciplinary artist Penelope Cain with an aim to learn about incorporating environmental sciences and research as core motivators in artistic practice.
Fiona Castle-Schmidt and Julia Robinson
Emerging artist Fiona Castle-Schmidt will work with sculpture and installation-based artist Julia Robinson to develop her emerging upholstery wall sculpture practice.
Jingwei Bu and Lindy Lee
Kat Korossy and Kate Kurucz
Kat Korossy will be undertaking a mentorship with artist Kate Kurucz with an aim to elevate her artistic practice by integrating abstract, realism and surrealism techniques, expanding creative horizons.
Lyn Anstey and Sophie Hann
Landscape and portrait artist Lyn Anstey will be undertaking a mentorship with Sophie Hann with a focus on improving technical skills and strengthening concepts aiding the continuation of her body of work.
Shirley Jianzhen Wu and Mark Eliott
Catapult 2022
Recipients
Eleanor Alice with William Mackinnon
Painter Eleanor Alice will work with esteemed international artist William MacKinnon with a focus on creative process and technique.
Heather Kamarra Shearer with Sera Waters
Heather Kamarra Shearer, a respected Arrernte (regional) artist will be mentored by Dr. Sera Waters, renowned academic and textile artist, to learn new and advanced techniques in Embroidery.
Jonathan Kim with Taerim Claire Jeon
Multidisciplinary artist Jonathan Kim will work with Sydney based Jogakbo artist Taerim Claire Jeon to expand his Jogakbo paintings into material works.
Kate Kurucz with Tess Martin
Painter Kate Kurucz will work with multidisciplinary Netherlands based artist Tess Martin, learning the techniques of painted animation as well as receiving professional development support.
Michael Carney with Mark Valenzuela
Emerging contemporary artist Michael Carney will work 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 with Michelle Kelly
Glass sculptor Naomi Hunter will work with metal artist Michelle Kelly to extend her practice through specialised metal fabrication techniques.
Oakey with Catherine Truman
Emerging contemporary artist Oakey will work with established jewellery and object artist Catherine Truman focussing on practice development and concepts, materials and techniques.
Orlando Mee with Tim Gruchy
Regional multimedia artist Orlando Mee will be working with digital artist Tim Gruchy, to take his software-based practice into the physical realm of the gallery by developing hardware-based interactive installations.
Catapult 2021
Anna Gore with Aldo Iacobelli
Multidisciplinary artist Anna Gore will work 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 with Tarryn Gill
Textile artist Carly Snoswell will be mentored by multidisciplinary artist Tarryn Gill to explore sustainable methods of upscaling her work, creating archival artworks, and undertaking commercial gallery representation.
Kristal Matthews with Cedric Varcoe
Ngunawal woman and regional artist Kristal Matthews will be working with Ngarrindjeri and Narangga artist and experienced muralist Cedric Varcoe to develop her skills in creating large-scale public art.
Cynthia Schwertsik with Joshua Sofaer
Cross-disciplinary artist Cynthia Schwertsik will work with London-based artist Joshua Sofaer to extend her practice and build international relationships.
Dan Withey with Richard Lewer
Mid-career artist Dan Withey will undertake a mentorship with acclaimed contemporary artist Richard Lewer to refine his practice and develop strategies for a sustainable career.
Kirsten Johnston with Margaret Worth
Regional artist Kirsten Johnston will be working with Margaret Worth develop her knowledge and skills in abstraction.
Matea Gluscevic with Eugenia Neave
Shoemaker and artist Matea Gluscevic will be mentored by accomplished shoemaker and artist Eugenia Neave to develop her practical and sculptural skill set.
Monika Morgenstern with Sasha Grbich
Regional artist Monika Morgenstern will be working with mid-career artist and experienced videographer Sasha Grbich on pushing the boundaries of her film and animation skills.
Catapult 2020
Elyas Alavi with Khaled Sabsabi
Emerging artist Elyas Alavi will work with established installation artist Khaled Sabsabi to develop his technical and conceptual skills and broaden his visual language.
Georgia Button with Nicholas Folland
Emerging multidisciplinary artist Georgia Button will be working with Adelaide-based artist and educator Nicholas Folland to develop a road map for the next 5 years of 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 with Mark Valenzuela
Mid-career ceramicist Gus Clutterbuck is undertaking a mentorship with Mark Valenzuela to evolve his conceptual development and design of large scale ceramic installation works and figurative imagery.
James Howe with Gray Hawk
Furniture designer and maker James Howe will be working with prominent Adelaide master maker Gray Hawk to develop his skills in woodworking and furniture production.
Karen Carr with Rosii Pedler
Self-taught community artist Karen Carr aims 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 with Mary-Jean Richardson
Emerging artist Matthew Moore will be developing his oil painting and portraiture skills with established artist and visual arts lecturer Mary-Jean Richardson.
Monte Masi with Hew Parham
Monte Masi will be working 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 with Christian Hall
Emerging Indian-Australian contemporary metal artist Sarra Tzijan will work with mentor jeweller and metalsmith Christian Hall to develop her technical and conceptual skills and establish her production practice.
Sam Gold with Jane Robertson and David Pedler
Ceramicist Sam Gold will undertake 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.
Fruzsi Kenez with Gerry Wedd
Acclaimed ceramicist Gerry Wedd will mentor 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 with Thomas Readett
Kaunra/Ngarrindjeri/Narrunga artist Tony Wilson will be undertaking a mentorship with established artist and Education Officer for Tarnanthi Thomas Readett. Tony will be working to develop and refine his portraiture skills in addition to expanding his professional networks.
Zoë Brooks with Liam Benson
Interdisciplinary artist Zoë Brooks will work with multidisciplinary artist Liam Benson to gain deeper understanding of best practice working with community in a contemporary arts practice.
Catapult 2019
Chris De Rosa with 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 with Katharine Coleman
Scottish glass artist Katharine Coleman will work 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 with 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.
Dr Maarten Daudeij with Dr Gavin Malone and 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.
Leonie Westbrook with 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 with 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.
Rita Kellaway with Lisa Cahill
Emerging kiln formed glass artist Rita Kellaway will work with internationally recognized glass artist Lisa Cahill to develop her business strategies, further technical skills and build a strong and supportive national network.
Tom Borgas with 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.
James Dodd with 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.
Catapult 2018
Christopher Williams with 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 with 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 with 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 with 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 with 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 with 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 with 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 with 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 with 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.
Catapult + Tarnanthi
This mentorship program provides funded opportunities for artists to work with mentors, culminating in the presentation of new work as part of the Tarnanthi festival. Tarnanthi presents the contemporary art of the oldest living culture on an unprecedented scale, in a national event held annually by AGSA.
Catapult + Tarnanthi 2023
Elizabeth Close with Karla Dickens
Contemporary visual artist Elizabeth Close is a Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara woman from the APY Lands in Central Australia She will be working with multidisciplinary Wiradjuri artist Karla Dickens to create new work pushing boundaries and challenging perspectives.
Catapult + Tarnanthi 2020
Anna Dowling with Deborah Kelly
Emerging artist Anna Dowling is a descendant of the Badimia people of the Yamatji region in Western Australia. She will be working with Sydney-based established artist Deborah Kelly to develop a series of political works that explore the impact of genetics and DNA testing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Christina Gollan with Kirsten Coelho
Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri artist Christina Gollan will be working with renowned ceramicist Kirsten Coelho (SA) to hone her skills in a dedicated ceramics studio. She aims to develop her use of colour and expand her practice to include large works and sculpture.
Catapult + Tarnanthi 2019
Sandra Saunders with Jess Wallace
Wangary-based Ngarrindjeri painter and activist Sandra Saunders worked with mentor film maker, writer and painter Dr Jess Wallace to further develop her painting practice. The artists travelled from the Gove Peninsula to Eyre Peninsula in order to extend Sandra’s technical skills, while also chronicling Sandra’s development and activism in a documentary that will accompany the exhibition pieces.
Damien Shen with Glenn Iseger-Pilkington
Adelaide-based Ngarrindjeri painter and illustrator Damien Shen travelled with mentor Glenn Iseger-Pilkington to Canberra and Sydney to research representations of indigenous identity and power in national collections. Through critical discourse with curators, artists and his mentor, Damien developed a new body of work relating directly to his Aboriginal and Chinese heritage and his young children.
Catapult + Adelaide Fringe
Delivered in partnership with Adelaide Fringe with support from the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation, this mentorship culminates in a public program, presentation of new work or performance as part of the 2025 Adelaide Fringe.
Catapult + Adelaide Fringe 2024
Truc Truong with Jennifer Mathews
Multidisciplinary artist Truc Truong will be mentored by sculpture and installation artist Jennifer Mathews to develop welding skills and steel fabrication techniques as a critical next step in her practice.
Catapult + Tarntanya
This mentorship program, delivered in partnership with City of Adelaide, provides funded opportunities for two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to work with mentors to develop their technical capabilities in public art, as well as their project management, stakeholder, and communication skills.
Catapult + Tarntanya 2022
Shane Cook with Reko Rennie
Shane Cook, a proud Wulli Wulli and Guwa descendant from Queensland, has connected with established interdisciplinary artist Reko Rennie as his mentor.
Sonya Rankine with Helen Fuller
Sonya Rankine, a Ngarrinndjeri, Ngadjuri, Narungga & Wirangu artist and established weaver connected with Helen Fuller whose established ceramics practice of over 30 years, continues to show nationally and internationally.
Catapult News
Spotlight: Tom Borgas on CATAPULT
Image: Tom Borgas, Armature Gateway (Hyperobject), 2020. Photograph: courtesy the artist. Emerging artist Tom Borgas predominantly made work for indoor spaces, and recognised the need for a mentor while expanding his portfolio to realise ephemeral works as...
CATAPULT + Tarnanthi 2020 Call Out
Guildhouse is thrilled to launch the second round of career development mentorship program for South Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, craftspeople and designers. In partnership with Tarnanthi, CATAPULT + Tarnanthi provides a funded opportunity...
Spotlight: James Dodd on CATAPULT
Image: James Dodd, Installation view, Backwoods Gallery, Melbourne, 2019. James Dodd had long admired established artist Cameron Robbin's execution of large-scale, permanent kinetic artworks. To help guide his own practise in a similar direction, James has been...
Images (L-R): 2019 Catapult mentee Leonie Westbrook (right) with mentor Catherine Truman. Photograph Rosina Possingham; Mentor Christan Hall with mentee Sarra Tzijan, photograph Sia Duff; Charlotte Tatton, exercise from New York Studio school drawing marathon, 2024, image courtesy the artist; Shirley Jianzhen Wu, Infusion (detail), 2022, Flameworked borosilicate glass, Eucalyptus cneorifolia essential oil, sola wood (Aeschynomene aspera), teak, cotton thread, reed and silicone. Photo by Michael Haines; 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; Tarnanthi 2021, Christina Gollan ceramic installation, Art Gallery of South Australia, Catapult mentorship program. Photograph Saul Steed; Sandra Saunders, install at the Art Gallery of South Australia for Tarnanthi 2019. Photograph Saul Steed.