Mentoring
Education, training and mentorships based on Aboriginal culture and learning
Indigenous mentor and educator
Chris Edwards is an experienced mentor and art educator. For the past decade he has mentored students, young people, emerging artists and elite athletes about the importance of connection to Country and community values.
Together, Chris and Heather run art workshops with students aged 4 and over from daycare centres, preschool, and primary and secondary schools. They also work with young people from service organisations such as Mission Australia and Uniting.
Chris also mentors emerging artists on behalf of organisations such as Inner West Council and Lake Macquarie City Council.
Chris is available for workshops and art therapy-style sessions for individuals and groups.
Jarjums design workshop
Edwards & Co worked with The Rug Collection to create Jarjums – a youth arts engagement program involving Indigenous kids from Darlington Public School in Sydney. Simon Robinson from The Rug Collection and Chris Edwards mentored students in workshops held at the school. The young designers developed concept designs inspired by Elders' stories. Six designs were developed into a limited edition of rugs for exclusive sale through The Rug Collection.
AFL Indigenous players mentorship
Chris Edwards was the Indigenous Ambassador for the Lendlease GWS GIANTS Community Footprint Program in 2014–16. In this role he mentored Aboriginal high school students from across Western Sydney. Chris worked closely with the club's young Indigenous players from the club to ensure they felt as comfortable and at home off the field as much as they did on the field. The adjustment from country life and outback Australia to Sydney was huge and this program assisted in the transition for the new players. Chris enjoyed mentoring the players and helped make their transition to life in the spotlight, on and off the field, as smooth as possible.
Uniting | Inspire U program
Becoming U is a community outreach program run by Uniting in NSW. The program aims to build belief and capacity so that young people become work-ready, mentally and physically healthy, and connected to opportunities as well as communities.
Becoming U invited Chris Edwards to be a mentor and feature in a video project called Inspire U, a short documentary series designed to inspire secondary students and show that it is possible to overcome hardships and find success.
