Cessnock Contemporary - School Contemporary Art Mentoring Program exhibition opens this weekend

Cessnock Contemporary is the culmination of the School Contemporary Art Mentoring Program (SCAMP), which saw students from each of Cessnock's four high schools partnered with a professional artist for mentoring and collaboration.

The students - Jada-Lee Stevenson (Kurri Kurri High School), Chloe Stanton and Ryan Lewis (Cessnock High), Noone Khairam and Sam Leslie (Mount View High), and Ethan Butcher, Lily Stothard and Tahlia Watson (St Philip's Christian College) - were selected by their art teachers for the opportunity.

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Mentoring sessions were conducted via Zoom, meaning some of the pairings will meet for the first time at the exhibition's opening this Friday night.

SCAMP coordinator Merryn Hull said the program is unique not only in the region but across Australia.

"Whilst mentoring in the art world is common, what is less common, and what this program offers, is a uniquely collaborative art relationship between mentors and mentees," she said.

Dr Hull said program has provided an opportunity for these young people to use their voices through their art to reach into their community.

"Contemporary art engages freely with broader contextual frameworks such as personal and cultural identity, political and social critique, environmental discourse, family, community, national and global relationships," she said.

"It provides a clear point of connection for artists to express their views on our contemporary world."

Dr Hull's mentee, Jada-Lee, said the program was an amazing experience.

"Having Merryn as my mentor has been more than inspiring. She has helped me develop my artistic voice and how I articulate my ideas on the world I live in, whilst also being a pillar of strength," she said.

Likewise, Dr Hull said it was a delight to work with Jada-Lee, who was a "textbook mentee".

"Talking with her has encouraged me to think about painting again. I enjoy the way that both our works actively search for creative ways to focus on contemporary issues," she said.

Works by the mentors - including Dr Hull, Fiona Davies, James Nguyen, Sylvia Griffin, James Gardiner, Elwira Skowronska, Tom Isaacs and Penny Dunstan - will also be on show at the exhibition.

SCAMP received a grant from Create NSW, with support from local businesses, organisations and individuals.

Cessnock Contemporary will be officially opened on Friday night by Sydney Morning Herald art critic John McDonald, who was born and raised in Cessnock.

It will be open to the public at the Aberdare Road venue from December 4 to 12.

For those who aren't able to make it to the exhibition, an online catalogue can also be viewed at cessnockcontemporary.com.au.