PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIALS

Working as a mentor in the Craft Apprentice Program has been a very rewarding experience. Supporting apprentices as they develop their skills and watching them gain confidence in their artistic vision reminds me why creative mentorship matters. This program offers hands-on learning opportunities, focus and individualized guidance, that is not always attainable in a group class situation. I was impressed by the progress each apprentice made. I’m proud to be part of a program that truly invests in the next generation of artists.

– Pam Bartlett, CAP ’25 Mentor (textiles)

I really enjoyed the opportunity to visit other artist studios. Even though I’ve lived in Downeast Maine most of my life, I truly appreciated being invited to visit studios through the mentorship program. Also, Maine Craft Weekend was a huge success thanks to your support, and we plan to participate again next year.

– George Brace, CAP ’25 Mentor (blacksmithing)

The MCA does an amazing job with this program with so little staff! Thank you to Lizz, Whitney and everyone involved for making these grants available to makers all around the state of Maine and NH. This is a truly unique program that honors the historical method of apprentice/mentor learning while encouraging the freedom to create and collaborate. I am eternally grateful to be given this opportunity and time to make work alongside someone so appreciative and eager to learn.

– Diana Arcadipone, CAP ’25 Mentor (paper/print)

Being a part of the MCA Craft Apprentice Program has opened up new relationships in my life- from building a connection to a mentor to building an understanding of a new art craft practice. This is a privileged time I have been given, supporting my art practice by giving me a chance to learn, explore, and experiment with expectations to grow and create. More of the world should model this program.

– Cordelia Perry, CAP ’25 Apprentice (paper/print)

I finally feel like an artist! I have no formal art training and have felt like a “crafter”. This process validated me and made me feel like a professional. I was able to get one on one lessons, a mentor that listened and guided , and let me grow with confidence.

– Lynda Hadlock, CAP ’25 Apprentice (textiles)

The CAP program gave my dad and me a rare opportunity to work together and connect as adults, something we never would have been able to make happen without it. The experience has sparked new interest in our shop and artwork in tangible ways, and we’re deeply grateful for the support. As fifth- and sixth-generation blacksmiths, this collaboration carries a special resonance, our father-daughter partnership continues a long lineage of craftsmanship while forging something entirely our own.

– Patricia Brace, CAP ’25 Apprentice (blacksmithing)

I believe my participation in the Maine CAP program will forever impact my career as an artist and will be the founding point of where my work continues to progress from. I am entirely grateful to have had the opportunity to be apart of this program and I’m very excited to continue on the path that this apprenticeship has led me down.

– Krystal Yavicoli, CAP ’25 Apprentice (ceramics)

If you or anyone you know has ever been interested in an art or wish to expand your knowledge in an art, but you have never had the funds or the time – the CAP program gives you this opportunity. I personally have always wanted to follow in my Grammys footsteps and become apart of her legacy to pass on to my children and future generations. But felt I never had the funds to begin or the time to do it. But when I was presented with the opportunity to be apart of the CAP program I could not pass it up. Once you have the funds you will find the time. It all just falls into place. While learning and enjoying one of life’s greatest gifts – art.

– Kaileigh Sargent, CAP ’25 Apprentice (textiles)

I really loved this program and I am so happy that Krystal approached me to apply. It was fulfilling to see Krystal’s confidence around the wood kiln grow and to see her success firing her beautiful work. I hadn’t really known how much I would enjoy the mentor role, but through Krystal and the CAP program, I enjoyed it tremendously. It was a wonderful opportunity for me at this point in my career.

– Jody Johnstone, CAP ’25 Mentor (ceramics)

The Craft Apprentice Program taught me to slow down, reflect, and focus—whether waiting for dye to set, managing yarn, or pausing to delight in nature. With Sarah’s guidance, I learned to turn each moment into insight and inspiration, building skills I hope to share with others in the future.

– Amanda Pearson, CAP ’25 Apprentice (textiles)

As an CAP mentor I feel a part of a long lineage of teachers. In my earlier years, I had noteworthy people who guided, nurtured and mentored me. With the help of these teachers, I thrived and blossomed, gaining the skills and confidence to carve my own path as an artist/educator. I hope my role as a CAP mentor illustrates my gratitude for and honors those who mentored me as a young artist.

– Sarah Haskell, CAP ’25 Mentor (textiles)

The CAP program is a really wonderful way for carrying on the disappearing knowledge of crafts to future generations .

– Grace Collette, CAP ’25 Mentor (textiles)

Do it. If you have skills to share, ideas to develop, ambition to improve, generosity to explore, CAP is for you. It is the most intimate and potentially life-changing educational experience that you can find.

– Lissa Hunter, CAP ’24 Mentor (textiles)

My experience in this program was truly phenomenal. It allowed me to immerse myself in the craft and learn from outstanding teachers. The knowledge and skills I gained have been invaluable, and I am grateful for the opportunity to grow as a designer and an individual.

– Jieun Park Stehly, CAP ’24 Apprentice (textiles)

Thank you for making this opportunity available. In this fast-paced world dominated by electronic technology and media, It’s important to remember the beauty and joy of creating useful things by hand.

– Alice Seeger, CAP ’24 Mentor (textiles)

I feel this experience has amplified the importance of collaboration and community within the world of craft. Working with, learning from, and teaching others is so important in this day and age.

– Meghan Hall, CAP ’24 Apprentice (textiles)

The relationship established with my mentor has significant value for me. She was steadfast and maintained a professionalism that was a good fit for where I am in my journey as a maker.

– Ann McClellan, CAP ’24 Apprentice (ceramics)

The program really helped me find my footing and my voice as a new artist!

– Gracie Karl, CAP ’24 Apprentice (wood)

This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from a master craftsman.

– Tyler Sheaffer, CAP ’24 Apprentice (wood)

Carving out time for both learning and practice in a mentor/apprenticeship model is near impossible in our current capitalist culture & systems – to have an organization provide funds for dedicated professionals and learners to work together is invaluable!

– Pilar Nadal, CAP ’23 Mentor (printmaking)

The Maine Craft Association Apprenticeship Program is truly a gift for makers.The mentor/apprentice relationship is invaluable, and opens doorways into creative camaraderie and possibility that are both rare and essential for craft artists.

– Katherine Ferrier, CAP ’23 Apprentice (textiles)

My experience as a CAP Apprentice propelled my growth as a potter. I did not get my degree in ceramics and community studios are not easily accessible to me because of where I live. Working closely with my Mentor gave me access to information, ideas, and guidance that would have taken me many years to figure out on my own. She has decades of experience, owns a successful business, and makes beautiful high quality pottery. My mentor quickly became the most valuable resource. Being paired with someone who is passionate about their craft and is eager to teach someone else made for a wonderful experience. As an apprentice, I felt supported by my mentor and through MCA. I had space to explore and also had the accountability to remain focused on my goals. This experience has directly benefited me as a maker and I would highly recommend it to any person who seeks intentional growth in their craft.

– Lydia Johnson, CAP ’23 Apprentice (ceramics)

CAP is the quintessential program for providing artists the opportunity to accelerate their learning with an expert in the field – an opportunity rarely accessible to those with limited experience.

– Sharon Gallant, CAP ’23 Apprentice (book arts)

A mentor/apprentice relationship is a two way path for creative growth. Both are learning and developing in the arts. I would encourage others to consider this program. It is very rewarding on so many levels.

– Richard Reitz Smith, CAP ’23 Mentor (book arts)

It was such an honor to be chosen as a Mentor through CAP, I enjoyed sharing the skills and knowledge I have developed over the years. I look forward to seeing all the great projects my Apprentice makes over their career.

– Matthew Arcara, CAP ’23 Mentor (luthier)

Maine CAP has been an incredible opportunity to dive more deeply into my textile craft, backed by financial and professional support. I so valued having the opportunity to work closely with my mentor over the course of the program; I was able to not only improve my technical weaving and design skills, but also to build momentum with my textile business, as well as confidence in sharing my work with a wider audience. I also value the connections I made with other local artists, and all of the conversations that were sparked throughout this program.

– Amanda Affleck, CAP ’22 Apprentice (weaving)

The Craft Apprenticeship Program was a fantastic experience and an incredible opportunity to work with a very knowledgable mentor in their field of specialty. I have come out of the program with so much applicable knowledge, firing skills and confidence, and a wealth of information to reference in the future. I emerged from the experience as a more educated and skilled maker, with firsthand practical training in methods that will continue to benefit my craft and studio practice for the rest of my life.

– Rachel Herzer, CAP ’22 Apprentice (ceramics, glaze recipes)

Everything I know as a Potter has been handed down from one person to another for over 30,000 years, and Until 1992, this only happened face-to-face, in mentor/mentee-type relationships. Everything I know as a sgraffito artist has been handed down person to person, face-to-face, for 8000 years. Part of my job as a craft person, as an artist, is to teach as many people as I possibly can how to do what I do, how to live like I live, and how they can create and effectively use their own visual voice. The information I hand on through this program, in my opinion, is as important a measure, of my success as an artist as the pieces I create. The knowledge I use isn’t mine, and the CAP program allows me to act in acknowledgment of that. The CAP program literally allows more people to develop their visual voice, and join the conversation.

– Tim Christensen, CAP ’22 Mentor (atmospheric kiln firing)

I loved the mentorship program. If I could do it every year, I would. I think mentors are invaluable and necessary for growth, and I think every craft artist should have a mentor until they are ready to become one. It is the best way to learn.

– Grace Foxen, CAP ’22 Apprentice (machine knitting)

The ability to spend 100 hours over a seven month time frame allows for growth and the fine tuning of the apprenticeship making it both rich and valuable. This experience will move my work forward beyond what I had anticipated and has allowed me to create completely new work as well as growth in my present work. The opportunity for an ongoing exchange of ideas and the opportunity to pick a fellow artists brain at will for hours on end ……… nothing better! MCA walked us through the entire experience with finesse.

– Jennifer Connor, CAP ’22 Apprentice (ceramic reliquaries)

This is a beautiful rare opportunity to work one on one with a student and dive deep into the complexity of the craft we love and devote our time to.

– Emily O’Neil, CAP ’22 Mentor (machine knitting)

It was gratifying to have the time to take a student beyond weaving basics and see the results.

– Alice Seeger, CAP ’22 Mentor (weaving)

I’d like to thank the Maine Craft Association and the Maine Arts Commission for fostering the relationship between craft and community. It is programs like the Craft Apprenticeship that can change the trajectory of an artist’s career, and I am so thankful for the opportunity of participate.

– Ashley Page, CAP ’21 Apprentice (fiber/basketry)

The CAP program has literally opened wide a door for me onto a new path in life. I wanted to learn to be a better printmaker, and I have; what I didn’t anticipate is the degree of confidence and motivation I would gain through the increased skills, especially as tied together by participating in the final exhibit. I had never been part of an exhibit before, and was humbled and grateful to have my work shown together with such a stellar group of artists. Then, it was so rewarding to watch gallery visitors look carefully at my work, and ask questions about how I had created certain aspects, or why. That some liked my work enough to buy it was an added bonus! I am grateful to my mentor for the time and effort she dedicated to getting me started, and for her friendship. I am grateful for the Maine crafts community, and to where, in the words of my mentor, I have arrived.

– Karin Eberhardt, CAP ’21 Apprentice (printmaking)

There is a wonderful alchemy that occurs between artist mentor and apprentice that not only is a conduit for the transfer of knowledge but allows for a mutual deep dive into one’s creative soul, exploring and sharing that, and then learning from the process. The CAP program facilities this in spades. From the application criteria to the closing exhibition, through each step of the program, the available resources, and connections made, are life changing.

– Karin Otto, CAP ’21 Mentor Artist (printmaking)

I came out of this experience a whole new person and artist. I have confidence in running a business, talking about my work, and helping other artists. I feel like all the skills I possessed before this experience have been magnified. This program’s flexibility allowed room for my mentor to guide me while ultimately letting me carve my own path within the CAP guidelines, with the support and guidance of professionals. The opportunity to officially work one-on-one with a mentor, with financial help from an organization, feels incredibly significant in a field where the mentor/apprentice relationship is so crucial to its survival. Thank you, MCA and MAC for this incredible opportunity, I am honored to have been a part of it.

– Aidan Fraser, CAP ’21 Apprentice (ceramics)

The CAP program was a tremendous asset to my growth as a craftsperson. I feel as though this experience has offered me a newfound confidence that I needed to grow and shift as an artist. Having a mentor to provide feedback and guidance gave me a structured learning environment that felt like the right mix of exploration and working towards a deadline.

– Sheridan Cudworth, CAP ’21 Apprentice (ceramics)

The mentorship/apprentice program provided financial security for encouraging the acquisition of skills beyond what can be accomplished during regular class time . This time together was invaluable for lifelong friendship and commitment to our craft. It instilled confidence in moving forward with our goals. Thank you!

– Elaine X. Fuller, CAP ’21 Mentor Artist (ceramics)

I have taught for a long time and always find that I am at my best when required to listen, think and explain. That process stays with me after the class, workshop, critique. It may just be that the personal relationship developed through our experiences will contribute the most to my vision for my work. I feel a little more open to the world.

– Lissa Hunter, CAP ’21 Mentor Artist (fiber)

This is an excellent opportunity to expand ones skills. We are so grateful that Maine state funding is available to support crafts in this way! Such an important way to keep the skills relevant and ever growing.

– Kenneth Kortemeier, CAP ’20 Master Artist (woodworking)

The Craft Apprentice Program was a very rewarding way for me as a metalsmith and educator to pay forward the generosity of my mentors who helped me early in my career.

– Jayne Redman, CAP ’20 Master Artist (jewelry)

This is an incredible program that not only gives wings to “up and coming craft artists” but more profoundly builds strength and resiliency in flight.

– Barbara Hopkins, CAP ’20 Apprentice (jewelry)

The CAP program is an amazing opportunity for anyone looking to expand their artistic and creative horizons. Spending extensive time with a mentor is enriching on so many levels and also, at least in my case, landed me a life-long friendship.

– Jennifer Marshall, CAP ’20 Apprentice (jewelry)

What a unique opportunity! I got to pass on the core of what I’ve learned over the past 49 years, and Cliff has a running start on a lifetime of creativity.

– Chuck Lakin, CAP ’20 Master Artist (woodworking)