Talbot Mentors will feature its Partners In Art program at a reception on Friday, February 5, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Chesapeake Bay Heritage Gallery on Harrison Street in Easton. The event will be held in conjunction with Easton’s First Friday activities and will feature refreshments, an auction and raffle to benefit the mentoring organization.

Thirteen area artists worked with students and mentors through Talbot Mentors’ 2009 Partners In Art program, helping youngsters create their own artworks within each artist’s medium. Participating artists were Gwen Cameron-Davis, Katie Cassidy, Deborah Colborn, Cliff Fleenor, Myra Orme Frost, Jan Kirsh, Lin Layton, Susan Murphy, Peg Papa, Shirley Sallet, Nancy Thomas, Heidi Wetzel and Paul Winters.

Talbot Mentors Executive Director, Diana Trams,  expressed her appreciation to the artists and to gallery-owner Bill Lippincott for hosting the event for the second year. “This collaboration with local artists has been a wonderful opportunity for the students in our program,” she said. “All of the artists have been very generous in donating their time and sharing their talents.”

For many students, the partnership is a unique opportunity to explore unrealized creative talents. Mentors help provide transportation to the sessions with the artists and encouragement as the students learn the new skills.

The students’ artwork will be on display at the reception. A number of artists, including Joan Bennett, Gwen Cameron-Davis, Deborah Colborn, Peg Papa and Shirley Sallet, are donating their own artwork for the auction fundraiser.

Trams thanked Margot Miller for her efforts in recruiting artists for participation in the program. She encouraged all those enjoying the First Friday festivities to stop and admire the students’ creative accomplishments while learning more about mentoring opportunities.

For more information, to make a contribution, or to volunteer as a mentor, call Talbot Mentors at 410-770-5999 or visit www.talbotmentors.org.