Art Launch<\/a> was formed to manage and operate the Escapist Mentorship Program. Now, donors can support the program and the Art Movement of Escapism through tax-deductible donations. This element has allowed the program to grow and thrive like never before. One addition that came with the creation of Art Launch was the Escapist Retreat, a crash course in the program that\u2019s hosted at the private home of a top collector. Panels of collectors and former Escapists gather to give advice and answer questions for the new class.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\nTop patrons of Art Launch are members of an elite group called The Monarch Society. The Monarch Society has a private preview at the gallery with each Escapist on the evening prior to their solo exhibition unveiling. During this evening, the Escapist is interviewed and has Q&A with the small group in attendance. Next, the Escapist leads the Monarch Society into the Chrysalis. They go into great detail about a few of their art pieces: inspiration, technique, media, any challenges, and communication goal, if any. The Escapists have practiced for weeks in advance of this very special occasion. What began as a benefit of being an Art Launch top donor has indeed evolved into priceless training for the artist to communicate about themselves and their artwork in a public forum.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n
In 2020, Escapists Thaddaeus Arvie, Sarah Luna, Sarah Rimboch, and Patricia Ramaer had the challenge of being mentored during the mandatory lockdown and a global coronavirus pandemic. Weekly coaching sessions proceeded with regularity via Zoom and FaceTime. Solo shows were still executed via private previews, a limited capacity Monarch Society evening, a solo show divided into three-time slots, and a Saturday virtual exhibition. Reservations were required for all in-person gallery visits, and a plethora of safety protocols were observed, including masks and social distancing. While it might appear that these Escapists had misfortunate of being in the program during this year, the truth is that they have quite possibly received the most intense and necessary coaching in the history of the program \u2013 how to hustle and work smartly to make ends meet during the most challenging of times. In terms of sales, the 2020 class has either equaled or excelled past the results of Escapist graduates.<\/p>\n
Since its inception, being selected as an Escapist Artist in John Ross Palmer\u2019s Escapist Mentorship Program is entirely free. Besides a nominal cost to apply, there is no fee whatsoever for the hours and hours Palmer pours into the program. The \u201cheart\u201d of the Escapist Mentorship Program is the individualized coaching and mentoring that Palmer gives to each Escapist\u2013outside of the assignments. Escapists call for personal meetings\u2026and they get them. Palmer doesn\u2019t \u201cforce\u201d an Escapist to meet\u2013the artist gets from the program exactly what they put into it.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\tPalmer administers the Pledge of the Escapist to the 2015 Escapist Artists.\n
\n\t\tThe Process\n\t<\/h2>\n\t
To become an Escapist Artist, the individual must complete-in-full the written application released on this page in the Fall of each year. For all timely-submitted and complete applications, a four or five-person jury then scores the applications on a point system. (Artist John Ross Palmer is therefore only a fraction of the voting power and retains no personal selection or veto power.) A separate jury scores the Finalists for the interview phase without a review of the written applications. The highest combined scores from the written and interview phases determine the next Escapist class. Beginning with the 2017 Class, the application for the Escapist Mentorship Program has been online through Submittable.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n
John coaches the artists not only on evolving their art technique\u2013but also on how to promote their art, retain exclusivity, have savvy business salesmanship, and overall personal and professional confidence. Unlike many other artists concerned with the competition, John Ross Palmer sees the inherent benefit of elevating all artists to add power to the profession.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\tCoaching Escapist Edgar Medina on Show Set-up (2010)\n
\n\t\tHonors and Accolades\n\t<\/h2>\n\t
Each year since 2010, the Escapists have been celebrated and honored at a casual Afternoon of Escapism and black-tie Evening of Escapism at Palmer\u2019s Historic Houston Heights Art Gallery. Palmer invites all of his top collectors to support the hardworking artists\u2026and he features them and their artwork in an annual high-quality Escapism Catalogue. For the Afternoon & Evening of Escapism, the Escapist Artists are involved in all stages of the planning process to learn how to throw future events on their own terms. They are responsible for hanging their works as well as negotiating prices and selling their works once the art collectors arrive. Since 2017, the graduation weekend has been divided into a Saturday evening black-tie gala and a Sunday afternoon casual brunch. The weekend serves as the sole annual fundraiser for Art Launch, and money is raised through table sponsorships, art acquisitions, an art auction, and independent donations.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n
Palmer has been highly influential in launching the careers of the Escapist Artists on the international stage. He has showcased their artwork at major global art fairs, including Art Chicago and the Los Angeles Art Show.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\tThe 2011 Escapists (Gala-Seibert, Gonzalez and Vasquez) with Palmer\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Escapist Mentorship Program History John Ross Palmer\u2019s Escapist Mentorship Program was founded in 2009 as a casual way for a motivated group of local Houston artists to meet and communicate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Escapist Mentorship Program - John Ross Palmer<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n