make exceptional work

have it seen and valued

6 month online mentoring program

for visual artists

starts 20 february 2025

Create the opportunities and impact you desire for your art.

continually evolve and refine your work to the highest quality possible.

develop the skills and knowledge to take strategic action towards what you want.

become solid in your abilities, your potential, and the value of your art in the world.

what artists learn and receive IN EVOLVE

• Regular and consistent access to an experienced Artist - that's me!

• Open and honest communication in an environment built on confidentiality and trust.

• Technical and material support and advice. My expertise is in ceramics and I have experience mentoring artists in a diverse range of mediums.

• Supportive and honest critiques of your work, both in one-one and group settings.

• Skills to critically assess your work and advance it effectively.

• Practical advice on how to present your work to the public in an impactful way.

• Strategies to sell you art and amplify your online presence.

• Processes for writing about your art with greater ease and clarity, helping you find your own voice.

• Consistent connection with a diverse group of talented and committed artists.

• Developed self-confidence and a clear direction for a successful career.

WHY I CAN HELP

HOW EVOLVE UNFOLDS

ONE-ONE WITH AMY

MONTH 1: Goals and strong foundations

MONTH 2: Your work: Risk Taking & RESOLUTION

MONTH 3: Images, Introductions and planting seeds

MONTH 4: the power of words

MONTH 5: Amplify your online presence

MONTH 6: Goal Assessment & Next Steps

group sessions

• WEEKLY GUIDED WRITING CALLS

  Writing is essential for artists - whether we like it or not. It can be painful if not practiced. Each week Amy will set a prompt for flow writing that will complement the week’s focus. This is an opportunity to consistently build your writing muscles, in a low pressure environment, without a specific outcome required. Freedom! You will gain insight into your art, problem solve and have pages of 'raw material' to use in your writing.

• WEEKLY GROUP SESSION TOPICS

  These sessions complement and expand upon the work undertaken in our one-one sessions. This is a valuable opportunity to connect with the group, learn from one another, and gain new insights. At the end of each month, we will hold a group critique session.

• Set up for success

• Introductions and Intentions

• Mindset

• Material considerations

• Risk

• Resolution

• Exceptional images

• Introductions that land

• Opportunities and planting seeds

• Critique

• Mid Point Check in

• Websites with purpose

• Instagram your way

• Blind spots

• Artist Talks

• Q & A

• Goals and Priorities

• And much more

• private online community

  Being in a community of likeminded artists cannot be underestimated. Stay connected outside of our scheduled sessions. Support each other, share opportunities, ask questions and let us know your celebrations. Creativity thrives in community - where shared insights and collective energy push us beyond what we could achieve alone.

EVOLVE

6 month online mentoring program

for visual artists

starts 20 february 2025

what artists are saying about Evolve

‘Hi Amy,

I have been waiting for a response from my Regional Gallery before writing to you.

Success!!!  My application to exhibit next year has been accepted by the curatorial panel.

Thank you for your support and direction during EVOLVE.  Those fun filled, busy months gave me the confidence and ability to articulate my ‘voice’.  I felt SUPER CHARGED!! 

Your personal, yet rigorous, approach encouraged me to see beyond where I currently stood and reach for a place I only dreamed about – now it is a reality.   EVOLVE helped me to define a path for my work. 

Many, many thanks and a huge HUG.’ 

Jean McMaster, Potter, QLD

‘One of the best things I’ve done as an artist is sign up for the EVOLVE program. 

Sunny, smart, supportive, sincere and savvy - that’s Amy.  Being part of the EVOLVE group was so refreshing and stimulating. Since completing the program, I now feel that I have much more clarity about future directions for my art.  I also feel more confident in how I talk and write about my work and myself in both the real world and online.

Having a mentor with expertise in a different medium to mine was a huge plus.  It provided opportunities to think more expansively about my art and not get bogged down by the restrictive do’s and don’ts of a lot of mosaic thinking.

The magic of EVOLVE comes about through having one-to-one support and encouragement from Amy, plus being part of a dynamic and dedicated group of artists.  It was a special group of artists with an enormous array of talent and experiences. I learnt so much from everyone that no doubt has also influenced my goals and practice.

I couldn’t recommend the EVOLVE Program highly enough.  My only regret is that I didn’t join it earlier.’

Kate Butler, Mosaic Artist, NSW

“Thankyou Amy for an amazing experience through EVOLVE. Your sensitive awareness through your care in listening, the insights through your mentorship and the processes you teach have enabled a supportive space that has helped me discover the things that have been blocking me. I am overcoming hurdles and now have the tools to move forward in my practice. It has given me a feeling of possibility and freedom in my painting which I feel excited by.

Through your writing processes I am finding more clarity in talking and writing about my work authentically which also flows into my painting practice. I also feel incredibly grateful to experience this with a group of dedicated artists I admire and to share the process collectively has strengthened the journey through growing together in a supportive space.

Thank you Amy! x”

Sarah Saridis, Painter, Victoria

‘Taking part in Amy’s EVOLVE program was enormously beneficial for my emerging practice. I was very uncertain of my next steps at the outset, and regularly meeting with Amy and other artists helped maintain my momentum and focus at a time when my practice could easily have floundered. I benefited greatly from the group accountability and developing a regular writing practice.

Towards the end of the program I was successful in an exhibition call-out with a very short lead time. It was an exciting step forward for me, and my submission was only possible because of the active reflection and writing I had done as part of EVOLVE. The practical tasks Amy guided us through really helped me to feel prepared for future opportunities, and I finished with much more confidence and clarity about my direction. Thank you Amy!’

Alicia Allan, Jeweller, QLD

‘Amy’s program EVOLVE helped me to connect the dots in my creative journey. The program supported me to reach my goals of achieving and maintaining a regular art practice, connecting with other artists and painting a body of work which I am proud of.

It has been a wonderful, inspiring, and satisfying journey, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of this program.’

Dalit, Painter, Victoria

“I decided to invest in myself and my creativity by joining Evolve and getting the support I needed, to nurture and complete a body of work to be able to exhibit it. I really haven’t had support before. This has been wonderful, to not only have your support Amy, but to have this wonderful group of inspiring artists doing these wonderful things. It was a big thing to invest, and I am so glad I did."

Sharon Muir, Watercolour Artist, NSW

“Working together has made me so much happier, it’s offered me direction and focus which I was really lacking before I began the program. I now have a vision of what I want to achieve, and I know how to achieve it. I have events lined up which I’m working towards, I have a real sense of purpose which has been missing in my life for a long time. Despite everything going on in the world, I’m feeling more positive about life then I’ve felt in a long time.

My work didn’t really feel like it spoke to me, like it was unique. Over the program my work has gradually developed to the point where I now have a very unique style which really resonates with who I am. I can see lots of avenues to continue to develop this work which is incredibly exciting.

I would really encourage anybody who’s wanting to push their creative practice to the next level or is feeling unsure as to what the next step is with their art to talk to Amy. I was really nervous initially. I was worried that my work wasn’t good enough and I felt embarrassed for thinking I could develop it into a more professional practice. But sending that first email was the hardest step. Amy has been so encouraging and supportive the entire way through. The amount I’ve accomplished during this program is more than I could have ever imagined. It’s by far the best decision I’ve ever made.

I was initially concerned whether Amy would be able to help, as I work in textiles and Amy is a ceramicist, but it meant Amy was able to assess my work without any pre-conceived ideas of what quilting ‘should’ be, or how things are done. Getting advice from an artist who has been there and knew what I was experiencing was absolutely invaluable.”

Robyn Cuthbertson, Textile Artist, Melbourne Australia

‘I have completed EVOLVE, a mentoring program for ceramic artists with Amy Kennedy. I chanced upon the program on a day I had struggled with an exhibition application. Two modules especially, seemed to be written for me! They covered all the things that I found difficult and did not know how to tackle, while others filled my need to learn and grow professionally. I was so excited when I was accepted into the program.

Through regular discussions and excellent prompts, Amy has helped me to think more deeply about my practice and my work. Our time together has engendered confidence to articulate the thoughts behind my work and write about them and about myself. I found it difficult to write about myself and my work, worrying about the format, the content, the voice, how it sounded and if I was on the right track. Now I can write an artist statement with confidence and see the importance of writing a well-crafted one.

Amy is generous with her time and knowledge, always encouraging. She sets wonderful tasks that have made me think and read widely. I may have done that any way, but having regularly scheduled meetings kept me on task and I am amazed at how much I have covered and moved in such a short time. You see your work differently and give it the credit it deserves, when an artist like Amy who makes beautiful, considered work highlights all the things that are special about it. I think one of the key achievements so far in the program is that I have begun to think of myself as an artist who creates thoughtful work with a story to tell.

I have loved working with Amy and recommend the EVOLVE program to anyone who is looking to grow professionally.’

Roshni Senapati, Ceramic Artist, Brisbane Australia

I am so glad I decided to do the Evolve Program with Amy. I would never have achieved all of my goals (and more) without the assistance and support she gave me. Amy was thoughtful, an excellent listener and unwaveringly positive about my development as an artist.

I was feeling overwhelmed by what I wanted to achieve and having Amy to coach me through the steps providing her energy, enthusiasm, knowledge and technical expertise was a great way to learn. I highly recommend this mentorship.

Kirsty Riddle Visual Artist, Hobart Australia

Before the Evolve Program, I was conflicted about art as a viable career path. I alternated between days of inspiration and despair. I came to art relatively late and although I attained a strong art education at university level, it was studied during years when I was dealing with big life changes such as immigration, raising children, needing to earn a livelihood (life!), and pushing forward in my art career took a back seat many times.

When I enrolled in the program, I had been developing my work slowly over many years but needed help with refining and resolving issues, both technical and artistic. I needed critique and considered feedback from someone objective, but from within the ceramics field. I was not in a position to return to art school due to family responsibilities and started to wonder if I could find a mentor instead. About a month later I came across Amy on social media and instantly loved her ceramic work. When I looked through her website and found the mentoring program she was offering it felt right for me.

Amy’s intelligence and responsiveness were apparent from the very first (free) 30-minute phone call. I had full confidence when I booked later that day and it was the best investment.

In all stages of this mentorship I felt validated and ‘listened to’ in grounded and tangible ways. For example, after our meetings, Amy would email me a succinct summary of all we had covered. This provided clarity and structure to what in my memory was an amorphous meandering conversation. It took the pressure off me to remember the points that arose and enabled me to relax and focus.

Amy has supported me in completing pieces so that I can enter them in exhibitions rather than continually evolving, experimenting and jumping to the next stage of the process. With pragmatic advice, she has pushed me to write about my work as a way of understanding it better, and to enhance my website with more written content, including a revised CV and new images. These actions have organically led to decisions about what I want to focus on as I move ahead and which opportunities I would like to pursue. She has provided ongoing feedback of my artworks and writing in-progress.

The confidence that Amy displays in her artwork, as well as online, is inspiring and she has guided me by her example of putting her ‘best foot forward’.

As a result of the Evolve Program I am feeling inspired and clear about my intentions. I have definite ideas about works to complete, document and photograph. I have resolved small (but big) problems in artworks. I feel more confident and more connected to what my work is about.

The most valuable part of the Evolve Program has been Amy! She is supportive, organized, consistent, knowledgeable, direct, and sincere. Throughout every stage, I trusted her and felt her genuine concern and investment in helping me move forward in my art.

Leanne Berelowitz Sculptor, Sydney Australia

'The Evolve Program was a multi-faceted journey for me. Touching almost every element of my art practice, Amy helped me bring the complex, somewhat convoluted, elements of my work into further clarity and realisation.

My main goal through this program was to solidify my distinctive voice, creating works of integrity. Amy helped me develop and believe in this possibility, my credibility as an artist and the potential beyond.'

Lilach Mileikowski Ceramic Artist, Melbourne

‘I am very fortunate to have been involved in Amy Kennedy’s Evolve mentoring program.

Amy’s program arrived just at the right time for me as I struggled with a debilitating confidence crisis which had resulted in an ongoing creative freeze. I had an upcoming exhibition to complete and felt no motivation to go ahead with it.

Amy helped me to bring clarity to my goals, and take steps toward achieving them. She impressed me with her focus and commitment to helping me, and her insightful strategies to do this. We looked closely at my art practice and reintroduced experimentation into it which reignited my interest and reconnected me to my creativity. I found a more authentic direction for my art which has developed its own momentum.

Writing regularly with the inspiring group of Evolve artists helped me to find fresh perspectives, and increased my ability to verbalize the concepts around my art practice. I was also given helpful advice and encouragement to make my artwork more accessible to the public and increase my audience.

Thanks Amy for helping me to find my flow again. I am now feeling enthusiastic about my new exhibition and am confident of its value and integrity.’

Julie Shea Mixed Media Artist, NSW

"What a year it has been…lock downs, cancelled studio visits yet time seemed to pass in this absorbing developmental year. When I began working with Amy, I was re-entering the world of ceramics after a five year break.

There were projects not completed and work that still had to be made but fears of my work not being contemporary and relevant were holding me back from engaging once again my love of making ceramics and fine art. I had never really left the field but had become an onlooker into a world that had evolved over those years.

Each step, making a studio out of the garden shed and connecting my electric kiln took me closer to my goal but it wasn’t until I saw Amy’s Evolve program that I thought with some outside guidance I might be able to do this.

What a wonderful experience it has been working with Amy. Exploring through the Evolve program leads to new ways of seeing and engaging with what is most meaningful within my ceramic work. Amy is always bright and cheerful and we always start with a positive question…”What is working well for you?”

Amy questions, explores and discusses both concepts and techniques and through this exchange new ways of seeing things open up the view. Preconceived beliefs are challenged; dreams are tempered through a clear and grounded dialogue as well as through Amy’s guided writing practice.

Through these reflections as well as connections between heart, mind and hands, I have moved from doubt to an inner knowing that this part of my working life remains open to possibilities for me to complete projects and be fully engaged within my studio to make work that is relevant and meaningful to others.

For as Amy says “it's all about the work.”

Elizabeth Masters, Ceramic Artist, Victoria

"Amy, you have unquestionably built up my confidence by pointing out the many facets of my practice, skills and perspectives, the added touches which I didn’t realise were anything special. You were able to give me fresh perspectives from a buyers, curators, and makers perspective - that was truly helpful. Knowing these features have helped me promote my work with more confidence, to put my hand up for opportunities, but most importantly you have given me conviction to make my own opportunities."

Larissa Warren Ceramic Artist, Queensland

"I met Amy on the River Derwent during the 2019 Australian Triennale in Hobart. A couple of years later I found myself unsure of my direction and made contact. Good move! It’s been an absolute delight and honour to work with Amy through the comprehensive Evolve program. She is attentive, caring, thoughtful, thorough and easygoing, fun, all at the same time, no stone left unturned, she made me feel comfortable from the start. Being able to let insecurities and doubts flow without feeling judged, she teased out of me what is important and helped me gain clarity and trust in my own voice to make the work I want to make. I will miss dearly having Amy by my side, but move into 2022 with a spring in my step, with inspiration, intent and new wisdom onboard."

Karin Amdal Wellington, New Zealand

"I've been doing Amy's Evolve program, I can't recommend her enough, she's so insightful, attentive helpful, empowering. The program has changed the way I work, the way I see my work and my confidence. She has helped me so much."

Minna Graham Ceramic Artist, Victoria

"Amy, thank you for being my sounding board for this year and carrying me through the ups and downs of 2021. Our conversations, the homework and the reflection time have given me the skills and mindfulness to just keep making with focus and wonder."

Helen Earl Ceramic Artist, Sydney