Thank you for applying to the 2020 Escapist Mentorship Program!  By filling out this application and submitting it, you agree and understand: 

• The images submitted represent true, original artwork created by you;
• You are willing to submit to a brief in-person, telephonic or Skype interview in the early part of 2020 if the jury selection scoring process does not identify a clear cohort for the 2020 Escapist class after the online application process; 
• Individual or group Escapist meetings with mentors John Ross Palmer and Ryan Lindsay will be held at the sole discretion of the mentors; 
• 2020 Escapist Artists in Houston will have free use of studio and gallery space in the Chrysalis located at 1218 Heights Blvd., Suite A, Houston, Texas 77008.  Each Escapist must sign and adhere to a basic Studio Rules & Guidelines Statement at the onset of the year. You must sign and approve a one-year Sales Agreement for sales that occur at the Chrysalis and also includes referrals from the program mentors.  The split will be 60% Artist and 40% to the gallery;
• There is a goal to have a large, graduation ceremony at the completion of the year. For large events such as this with very high costs, Escapists will have a separate Sales Agreement about the terms of the event and the sharing of proceeds.  For example, every year since 2010, the graduation event Sales Agreement split has been 50% Artist and 50% to the nonprofit, Art Launch;
• You may be removed from the Escapist Mentorship Program at the discretion of the mentors or the Board of Directors of Art Launch should you not adhere to the assignments, attend meetings or any reason at the sole discretion of the mentors or the Art Launch Board of Directors;
• You are not contractually obligated to another gallery, person or entity that would prohibit your participation in the Mentorship Program and earning income at the Chrysalis;
• You have not purchased original artwork by John Ross Palmer within the last calendar year. (Merchandise, painting party tickets and acquisitions less than $500 do not apply.); 
• You have not applied to the program two or more times. (If you have applied once, please re-apply.  If you have applied two or more times, you cannot re-apply.);
• Houston Escapists commit to being at the Escapist Retreat on Saturday, January 25th and the Escapist Initiation Ceremony on Sunday, January 26th. All Escapists commit to being  two graduation events on the weekend of October 10-11th;
• Houston Escapists agree to a minimum of 10 hours of art studio time per week unless an exception is granted by the mentors in writing. Houston Escapists can maintain a separate studio in Houston, but, they must regularly work and create in their Chrysalis studios.  And, specifically, their entire solo show exhibition must be created in their Chrysalis studio;
• A huge benefit of this program is getting to assist and network at the events and unveilings of John Ross Palmer. Escapists are expected to attend these events with regularity - all of which are mapped out at the onset of the year; 
• Houston Escapists will agree and adhere to a shared cleaning schedule for the Chrysalis;
• Houston Escapists will individually appear quarterly in front of the Art Launch Board of Directors to give a report on their studio hours and mentoring sessions completed; and
• Your entire application must be submitted by the deadline on Friday, December 13th.  This includes your letter of recommendation. IF THE PERSON RECOMMENDING YOU DOESN'T UPLOAD YOUR RECOMMENDATION LETTER BY DECEMBER 13TH YOUR APPLICATION IS INCOMPLETE AND WILL NOT BE SCORED.