Spotting Potential: Artist Mentoring in Australia, From Group Show to Solo Success
Helping artists grow, from their first group show or art prize entry through to a solo exhibition and beyond, is what my one-on-one mentoring sessions are all about. In Orange NSW or via Zoom, no jargon, no gatekeeping, just honest guidance.
Some of the artists I work with most closely didn't walk through my door looking for a mentor. I found them first, in a group exhibition, in an art prize entry, in a small body of work that told me they were ready for more than they realised.
That's the part of this job I love most. Not just teaching artists the practical side of the industry, though we cover plenty of that too, but spotting potential early and helping it grow. I've watched artists go from their first group show, to their first solo exhibition, to opportunities I don't think they imagined for themselves when we first met. Helping people reach their full potential is what I'm genuinely good at, and it's why I started offering one-on-one artist mentoring through The Corner Store Gallery.
I'm Madeline, the director here in Orange, NSW, and I've spent more than twelve years curating exhibitions and seventeen years as a working artist myself. I've sat on both sides of the gallery wall, so when I mentor artists now, I'm not just offering theory. I'm offering what I've learned from actually building careers alongside people.
And I don't just hand out advice, I take it too. I still get feedback and mentoring from other galleries and curators myself, because even after this many years, staying sharp means having people around you who'll tell you the truth about your own work.
Not ready to talk yet? Start here… I put together a free five-minute practice check-in, a simple, honest way to notice where things are strong and where they might be stuck, before we ever speak. Download the free Practice Check-In.
How do artists usually connect with a mentor like this?
More often than not, it starts small. An artist enters a group exhibition or one of our art prizes, and I notice something in the work worth backing. From there, mentoring becomes the bridge between that first small step and a genuine solo exhibition, and often the next opportunity after that. You don't need an existing relationship with a gallery to start. You just need work worth developing and a willingness to be guided.
What does an artist mentor actually help with?
Every session is shaped around you, not a generic checklist. Artists typically come to me for guidance on:
Pricing and presenting their work with confidence
Writing an artist statement or bio that actually sounds like them
Preparing for an exhibition or submission, including group shows and art prizes
Building an honest, consistent online presence
Working through creative block, burnout, or imposter syndrome
There's no jargon, no gatekeeping, and no assumption that you already know the "rules" of the art world. Just honest, practical conversation, from someone who has helped a lot of artists take that next step.
Do I need to already be exhibiting to book a mentoring session?
No. I work with artists at every stage, from those just starting to take their practice seriously, through to established artists preparing for a solo show or bigger opportunities. Some of the artists I mentor most intensively are ones I first noticed through a group exhibition or a small art prize entry. If you're feeling stuck, isolated, or unsure of your next step, that's exactly the conversation worth having.
How do mentoring sessions work?
An initial session runs for 1.5 hours and gives us time to properly understand where you're at and where you want to go. From there, follow-up sessions are available one hour at a time, or as part of a three-session package if you want ongoing support while you work towards a specific goal, like an upcoming show.
Sessions are relaxed and conversational rather than clinical, available in person at the gallery in Orange NSW or via Zoom, so distance is never a barrier to getting good advice.
A genuine next step, not a sales pitch
I started this because I know how isolating being an artist can feel, especially outside the major cities. This isn't about selling you a five-year plan. It's about someone taking the time to notice your work, and then genuinely investing in where it can go.
If you're ready to talk through your practice, whether you're entering your first group show or preparing for something bigger, I'd love to hear from you.
Get in touch: cornerstoregallery@outlook.com or call Madi on 0448 246 209. Learn more about artist mentoring at The Corner Store Gallery.
Want to check in with your own practice first? I made a free five-minute self-assessment for exactly this moment, a simple way to get an honest read on where you're at, no pressure, nothing to buy, just a genuinely useful starting point. Download the free Practice Check-In.
If you'd like the odd honest, useful thought like this one in your inbox, join our Artist Community, just tick "Artists" when you sign up, and I'll send the useful stuff your way. Real reflections on pricing, exhibitions, staying motivated, and the occasional worksheet like this one. No noise, nothing to buy. Join here: cornerstoregallery.com/subscribe
