THE Millicent Community Learning Centre has welcomed a former student back to the facility, with recent graduate Emma Sorrell undertaking a new role as student mentor.
The talented artist has returned to the workshop to mentor aspiring artists interested in metal fabrication.
“I help out in the workshop and last term I helped female students learn more about engineering,” she said.
“I teach students how to use the plasma cutter and give them different ideas so they are able to create things.
“It’s really about them getting experience and trying to be confident in the workshop.”
Ms Sorrell said she was inspired to volunteer to share her skills with younger students.
“I felt like I should give something back to the MCLC because they have done so much for me,” she said.
“I wouldn’t have had the opportunities I’ve had without them.”
Since picking up the welder less than two years ago, the talented artist has become part of the Art in the Sticks collective and featured in Mount Gambier’s Blue Jazz exhibition.
In 2015, Ms Sorrell was awarded the Margaret Andre Memorial Art Prize at the Millicent Show and was awarded second places in all four categories of the Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival Bizarre Bras competition in 2016.
Ms Sorrell was awarded the MCLC’s inaugural CCW Memorial Scholarship for outstanding achievement in learning and role modelling the centre’s philosophy.
Between mentoring and working in the aged care sector, Ms Sorrell is currently completing another artwork for this year’s Art in the Sticks.
“It’s good for me because mentoring is a way I can further my own artwork,” she said.
“I get to come back to the workshop and do what I enjoy.”
MCLC tutor Mark deNys praised the young talent for sharing her talents with students.
“Having Emma back in the workshop is amazing and it’s all off her own back,” he said.
“We didn’t approach her to come back and be a mentor, she volunteered to do it, which is great.”
