Artist Alliance aims to support creative self-starters in launching their careers with the right mix practical advice and industry knowledge. Our programme not only teaches essential business skills but also provides access to mentorship opportunities from leading experts in the creative industry.Over the course of our two cohorts, we have had the honour of these mentors generously sharing their time, experience, and guidance with our alumni. Introducing the 13 mentors who have played a key role in shaping the futures of our graduates. Atang Tshikare @ateliermboma Thando is a two-time Architectural graduate, currently completing his Masters at the University of Cape Town.In his art and illustration, the used object takes a slightly more ubiquitous position. He strongly believes in the beauty of trivial everyday objects when incorporated into conceptually driven visual concepts.The premise of my vocation as a design practitioner is to make accessible design ideas and interventions that are of benefit to communities who are deserving of these ideas.To make beautiful things and to make things that work. In this, I find pleasure in putting forward prospects and the potential for agency in the way that users engage my work. Celeste Arendse @____selfi Celeste Arendse is the designer/founder of Cape Town based clothing label SELFI. Designed with the modern women in mind, Celeste has carefully positioned herself as one of the leading sustainable independent fashion labels within South Africa.After completing her Fashion Design degree at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, she was appointed as studio manager at Cape Town based luxury fashion label Malcolm Kluk & CDGT.With the modern global conscious consumer in mind, Celeste has carved a loyal niche market within South Africa and is steadily growing within the international market space. Each collection focuses on exploring aspects of South African culture and identity, with a firm continuous undertone which promotes wellness and sustainability. Nadia ‘Nardstar’ Fischer @nard_star Nardstar* is a South African street artist based in Cape Town. Her unique geometric-esque style has propelled her to the top of Africa’s growing urban art universe while continually flaunting her humble nature and love for traditional graffiti lettering.Freshness and persistence has awarded her major accolades, including packaging designs for brands such as Castle Lite beer, sneaker customisation for Converse, window displays for Woolworths and large-scale murals for aquariums and residential buildings, to international festivals and artist residencies in France, Brazil, and the USA on more than one occasion, adding her name to walls of fame, and blessing the Nike worldwide headquarters with her talent.Formidable and flexible, she continues to wield her spray can to gain further notoriety, delving into relatable stories and pushing her own creative exploits to new heights. Earl Abrahams @earl_a_ Earl Abrahams is a Johannesburg based photo artist,who originates from Bonteheuwel, Cape Town and runs a boutique production company called Uneek Mvmnt Media.Abrahams’ background (10+ years) in the Social Development/NPO sector as a programme coordinator and project manager; facilitating and coordinating youth employment programmes, significantly impacted the way he creates and sees the world.His work straddles between themes of identity, heritage etc and he is currently exploring ways of (collaboratively with communities) archiving and democratising information pertaining to these themes through the concept of Mobile Museums existing in communities. Mrs + Mr Luke @alfromcapetown @lucky_lady_luke Mrs + Mr Luke are dynamic artist duo Al Luke and Faatimah Mohamed-Luke.Al Luke working as ALFA has set out to create works with complete honesty documenting his experiences visually in a very distinct manner. His artwork makes use of an expressive abstract style with the aim of visually translating personal and societal connections between humanity and theories within the fields of science, biology and mathematics. Thus far he has explored his style through a variety of media with a current focus on acrylic paint / markers and spray paint. The intention of the artist is to create and expose a new African style, which challenges the definitive global views and opinions of art in South Africa.Faatimah Mohamed-Luke is a visual artist and designer based in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2003 she graduated from Cape Town University of Technology with ND: Fashion and began her creative journey as a founding partner of SA designer brand ‘adam&eve’. Within the fashion design industry, she has honed her artistic and entrepreneurial skills, having participated in fashion weeks and exhibitions globally for over a decade. She has since shifted her focus to art and interior design. She hopes to constantly blur the line between art and design as she evolves and grows on her journey through various creative avenues. Storm Janse van Rensburg @stormjvr Storm Janse van Rensburg is a curator of contemporary art who has worked in a South African and international context for the past 25 years. He currently serves as Senior Curator and Head of Curatorial Affairs at Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town, South Africa.Janse van Rensburg started his career at the Market Theatre Galleries, Johannesburg (1995 - 1999) and served as curator of the KwaZulu Natal Society of the Arts in Durban (2000 - 2006).He was a founding member of the Visual Arts Network of South Africa (VANSA) and senior curator at Goodman Gallery Cape Town (2007 - 2012). He has also edited and written for a number of exhibition catalogues and contributed to African Arts Journal, Art South Africa, Metropolis M, Canvas and Contemporary And magazines amongst others, and was editor of the monograph Jacob Lawrence: Lines of Influence (2020). Dirk Durnez @artatafrica Dirk is an experienced Imagineer, Theme Designer, and Impresario with 35 years of international expertise in designing and constructing edutainment venues, museums, science centres, modular constructions, and art installations across 28 countries. Dirk is an art agent, representing 15 South African and 2 international artists. He established Kunye Colab to support emerging artists and acts as Belgium’s Advisor for Economic Diplomacy, founding the Belgian Chamber of Commerce for Southern Africa, with the internationally trademarked slogan “There is so much talent in our country!” for Art@Africa. Kay Faith @kay_faith_sa Kay Faith is an award-winning engineer turned chart topping record producer. Having worked with some of the biggest Hip Hop artists in South Africa, she has proven herself not only as Kaapstad’s tastemaker but also as an important part of South Africa’s music scene. With each set she DJs, each classic she samples, and each hit she creates, she shows us that we can draw inspiration from all corners of SA and reminds us just how talented we are and how unique our style is locally. Hayi suka man! Ishaarah Abrahams @ishaarah Ishaarah is a talented Cape Town visual creative with 8 years of professional experience in various design disciplines, including design studios, ad agencies, and in-house roles. Her illustration work gained recognition when she was chosen as part of the Design Indaba’s class of Emerging Creatives in 2016. In 2021, she collaborated with global fashion brand SHEIN, launching a successful ten-piece collection that showcases her unique illustration style characterized by bold colours and continuous lines. Alongside her day job as a brand designer, she continues to pursue her personal brand, collaborating with renowned brands like the V&A Waterfront, Truworths, mySchool, and Woolworths. Russell Abrahams @yay_abe Russell Abrahams is a Cape Town-based illustrator, and founder of the illustration studio, Yay Abe. As an extension of his personality, his designs are best described as colourful, playful and able to own any space. They have already been wrapped around a KFC bucket, sandwiched in a Bombay Sapphire zine and stretched across Africa’s largest billboard. Zunaid Green @zunaidtheeditor Zunaid, a passionate problem-solver and creative enthusiast, has collaborated on diverse projects such as Carte Blanche segments, Red Bull content, captivating Crime and Investigation documentaries, and Hip Hop shows on Channel 0. With a background in morning TV and as an in-house editor at The Jupiter Drawing Room, he ventured into content creation, particularly in pop culture and music, utilizing the opportunities presented by the DSLR revolution. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-find a content production company, where he gained valuable lessons from working with renowned brands and overcoming business challenges. Zunaid’s love for creative storytelling continues to thrive and evolve with each new project. Nadia Darries @asyn_sa Nadia Darries is an adept animator and co-founder of Goon Valley Animation, with an avocation for songwriting. Born in South Africa, to a community rich with culture and identity politics, her roots inspire her fervour for personal reflection as a gateway to studying what it means to be human. This passion feeds into her work as a creative and drives her long-term mission of encouraging people to explore their personal stories.Nadia is a SAFTA-winning director, who has recently co-written and co-directed the Star Wars VISIONS 2 episode, “Aau’s Song”. She has worked on animated film and motion design as an animator, project manager, creative director, and director since 2015. Her experience includes animating at Triggerfish Animation Studios on the award-winning BBC films Stick Man, Revolting Rhymes and Highway Rat. #LiveArtBeHeard