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The Whole is Greater than the Sum of its Parts

Mentoring is a rewarding experience for both the mentor and the mentee. Creative Manitoba serves as a facilitator to help up-and-coming rural artists find mentors to further their artistic growth. In this spotlight, we feature visual artist and mentor Annie Bergen and her mentee Kevela Jag. Read on to find out more about their experiences working together!

Kevela Jag

My name is Kevela Jag and I live with my family of six and our many pets. I live in a creative household in the forest. I am currently doing a mosaic project with my Mentor Annie Bergen and I am enjoying the experience very much. I love learning new things and so far this has been my favourite.

Annie Bergen

Annie Bergen is a muralist and an arts educator/facilitator.  Since she painted her first mural at 17 years of age, she has painted several large-scale murals throughout Manitoba for the private and public realm.   Annie has found her niche working in schools – travelling from school to school throughout Manitoba – working with students throughout the research, design and creation of murals to beautify their schools.  She also loves working in the medium of mosaics; creating functional and aesthetic mixed media mosaic art work for schools and communities. 

Kevela Jag and Annie Bergen working on mosaic art

Mentee Kevela Jag and mentor Annie Bergen working on a large mosaic art piece in studio.

What's a fun fact about you?

I was homeschooled most of my life.

- Kevela

I was born in Paraguay and had a pet monkey as a child.

- Annie

“I think the one-on-one mentorship is a wonderful program that is equally beneficial to the both of us.”

- Annie, on the benefits of mentorship

What aspect of your work brings you joy?

I like learning new things and I love even more having someone who loves to share their knowledge with me, someone who doesn’t just see this as a skill but a passion.

- Kevela

I love sharing my creative skills, resources and materials with others. I love teaching youth painting and mosaic methods, and giving them a positive art experience resulting in a long lasting mural or mosaic for their school or community. This is a valuable experience for everyone to take pride in, and a testimony to the magic that happens while in creative collaboration.

- Annie

“This program has helped motivate me in being more creative and open-minded to learn new things.”

- Kevela, on the benefits of mentorship

What have been your most positive takeaways from this mentorship session? Any favourite results or moments?

This program has helped motivate me in being more creative and open-minded to learn new things.

- Kevela

This opportunity has resulted in further exploration of mosaic work for me. This is something I’ve been wanting to make more time for, for a long while now! I am also inspired to make mosaics for my living space, like Kevela is doing. I’m excited to be working with Kevela, I think the one-on-one mentorship is a wonderful program that is equally beneficial to the both of us. I’m glad this opportunity exists for rural artists/youth and I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes!

- Annie

Ready to take your arts career to the next level?

Apply for one of our mentorship programs!

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