Getting connected to Lyla, was like a turning point in my artistic career! Art submission process and writing statements always have been overwhelming to me and I used to miss many deadlines as I was intimidated to start this process or make a submission. Through Lyla’s supervision and guidance, I was able to organize my thoughts, structure them and pursue my goals with more confidence. Her mentorship is very valuable to me and I am so grateful to be working with her.
Elham Fatapour, Artist www.elhamfatapour.com
Lyla Rye is a passionate, dedicated, and thoughtful mentor who goes above and beyond to help support artists in fulfilling their goals. Her critically engaged, insightful and thorough feedback has helped me to deepen my practice and expand my artistic vocabulary. Lyla’s sharp and keen editing skills are remarkable, and her guidance and assistance played a crucial role in my acceptance into grad school and success with artistic grants.
Jennifer Laiwint, Artist jenniferlaiwint.com
I got into my preferred school and attribute my professional, clear, articulate writing to Lyla's editing/mentorship. She was very attentive especially when it came down to the wire. I intend to draw on her expertise for future projects.
Susan Clarahan, Artist clarahan.com
When you are out of school, it can be easy to get out of practice. Lyla Rye's mentorship is a unique opportunity for any artist looking to gain insights and formulate a narrative around their practice.
Lisa Cristinzo, Artist lisacristinzo.com
Lyla has tremendous knowledge, keen observation skills and feedback which has helped me incredibly to understand and describe my process with more clarity. Through her guidance, she has helped me to distill my ideas about my work and creative process while providing valuable feedback. Lyla helped me in developing and writing my statement of research for the Graduate program. Lyla's mentoring and guidance has really stimulated and led my creative process.
Nava Waxman, Artist navawaxman.com
Overwhelmed by articulating the how's and why's of my practice, I am amazed to find myself at a place of comfort and clarity with my statement. This workshop was a huge step in my development as an artist.
Holly Dunlap, Artist hollydunlap.ca
Lyla provides the kind of mentorship you do not receive in an undergraduate or graduate program. Lyla acted as my mentor providing critical feedback on my work, guidance about the gallery world in Toronto and on writing, grant and graduate applications. When I was applying and interviewing for MFA programs, Lyla worked with me one-on-one to develop a strong application package and distill my ideas for graduate program interviews. Years after, Lyla is still a mentor I turn to when I need advice or have questions. As a sculptor, I was very fortunate to have Lyla as a mentor and her critical thoughts on materiality, form and space still challenge me when I make things.
Catherine Telford-Keogh, Artist catherinetelfordkeogh.com
I just finished working on my artist statement with Lyla. I highly recommend Lyla and her mentoring program. She has developed an in depth system to help you understand and explain your work in a thoughtful and comprehensive way. She was able to pull things out of me I didn't even know were in there! If you are in need of a fresh take on your work and artist statement give Lyla a call today.
David Brown, Artist encausticcollage.com
I found Lyla to be of constant support with a wealth of experience, good judgment and mentoring to share. With her caring, firm and patient approach, Lyla helped me bridge a period in my professional career and opened up possibilities and potential that I am still benefiting from. To move ahead with Lyla’s support is a must do!
Lynne Wynick, Artist and Dealer lynnewynick.com
Mentorship is an excellent option for serious students who want to pursue a proactive, independent and intimate approach to learning. My own mentorship with Lyla made a huge impact on my development as an artist. Lyla’s guidance was always firm and insightful. Having an extraordinary mentor like her exemplifies a key part of having a rewarding career in the arts that transcends factors like graduate degrees or art sales: the support of valued colleagues.
Tara Bursey, Interdisciplinary Artist and Curator tarabursey.com
I am privileged to have Lyla Rye as a ‘mentor’ in my assemblage and installation visual arts practice. What is most remarkable about Lyla is her keen ability to tailor her offerings and delivery method to what is needed but can also be tolerated. She is honest but respectful. With Lyla, I’ve had a mentor whom I can trust to ‘give me the straight goods’, but in a way that develops my own reflexive skills. I have found this to be rare and extremely valuable.
Kim Stanford, Artist kimstanford.com
Lyla Rye is an amazing mentor. For me she is a major source of knowledge, support and direction. Two cherished aspects of being under her tutelage were positivity and drive. She has instilled in me the importance of expression, materiality and presentation. She continues to be an example of dedication and pursuit of excellence.
Mo Aziz, Sculptor
My undergraduate education was inspiring and theoretically stimulating, but did not prepare me for being a real-world artist. Through Lyla’s tutelage, I came to understand how grants worked, what shows to apply for, how to write an artist statement or a proposal… in short: how to work and live as an artist. Like every great teacher, her mentorship was instrumental to my success as a working artist as well as to my obtaining a Graduate degree.
Ashley Joy Guindon, Artist and Public Art Project Manager, chART ashleyjoyguindon.carbonmade.com
Lyla acted as a mentor to me, and was an extremely knowledgeable source that provided a significant amount of thoughtful and critical feedback on my artwork.
Catherine Lane, Artist and Sessional Faculty at Sheridan College catherinelane.ca
Lyla guided my practice and worked with me to hone not only my artistic skills, but my also my professional ones. Since then I have received a number of grants of import to my career; I credit Lyla in large part for her counsel in helping me to visualize a path for my personal and professional development.
Sandra Smirle , Artist sandrasmirle.com
Elham Fatapour, Artist www.elhamfatapour.com
Lyla Rye is a passionate, dedicated, and thoughtful mentor who goes above and beyond to help support artists in fulfilling their goals. Her critically engaged, insightful and thorough feedback has helped me to deepen my practice and expand my artistic vocabulary. Lyla’s sharp and keen editing skills are remarkable, and her guidance and assistance played a crucial role in my acceptance into grad school and success with artistic grants.
Jennifer Laiwint, Artist jenniferlaiwint.com
I got into my preferred school and attribute my professional, clear, articulate writing to Lyla's editing/mentorship. She was very attentive especially when it came down to the wire. I intend to draw on her expertise for future projects.
Susan Clarahan, Artist clarahan.com
When you are out of school, it can be easy to get out of practice. Lyla Rye's mentorship is a unique opportunity for any artist looking to gain insights and formulate a narrative around their practice.
Lisa Cristinzo, Artist lisacristinzo.com
Lyla has tremendous knowledge, keen observation skills and feedback which has helped me incredibly to understand and describe my process with more clarity. Through her guidance, she has helped me to distill my ideas about my work and creative process while providing valuable feedback. Lyla helped me in developing and writing my statement of research for the Graduate program. Lyla's mentoring and guidance has really stimulated and led my creative process.
Nava Waxman, Artist navawaxman.com
Overwhelmed by articulating the how's and why's of my practice, I am amazed to find myself at a place of comfort and clarity with my statement. This workshop was a huge step in my development as an artist.
Holly Dunlap, Artist hollydunlap.ca
Lyla provides the kind of mentorship you do not receive in an undergraduate or graduate program. Lyla acted as my mentor providing critical feedback on my work, guidance about the gallery world in Toronto and on writing, grant and graduate applications. When I was applying and interviewing for MFA programs, Lyla worked with me one-on-one to develop a strong application package and distill my ideas for graduate program interviews. Years after, Lyla is still a mentor I turn to when I need advice or have questions. As a sculptor, I was very fortunate to have Lyla as a mentor and her critical thoughts on materiality, form and space still challenge me when I make things.
Catherine Telford-Keogh, Artist catherinetelfordkeogh.com
I just finished working on my artist statement with Lyla. I highly recommend Lyla and her mentoring program. She has developed an in depth system to help you understand and explain your work in a thoughtful and comprehensive way. She was able to pull things out of me I didn't even know were in there! If you are in need of a fresh take on your work and artist statement give Lyla a call today.
David Brown, Artist encausticcollage.com
I found Lyla to be of constant support with a wealth of experience, good judgment and mentoring to share. With her caring, firm and patient approach, Lyla helped me bridge a period in my professional career and opened up possibilities and potential that I am still benefiting from. To move ahead with Lyla’s support is a must do!
Lynne Wynick, Artist and Dealer lynnewynick.com
Mentorship is an excellent option for serious students who want to pursue a proactive, independent and intimate approach to learning. My own mentorship with Lyla made a huge impact on my development as an artist. Lyla’s guidance was always firm and insightful. Having an extraordinary mentor like her exemplifies a key part of having a rewarding career in the arts that transcends factors like graduate degrees or art sales: the support of valued colleagues.
Tara Bursey, Interdisciplinary Artist and Curator tarabursey.com
I am privileged to have Lyla Rye as a ‘mentor’ in my assemblage and installation visual arts practice. What is most remarkable about Lyla is her keen ability to tailor her offerings and delivery method to what is needed but can also be tolerated. She is honest but respectful. With Lyla, I’ve had a mentor whom I can trust to ‘give me the straight goods’, but in a way that develops my own reflexive skills. I have found this to be rare and extremely valuable.
Kim Stanford, Artist kimstanford.com
Lyla Rye is an amazing mentor. For me she is a major source of knowledge, support and direction. Two cherished aspects of being under her tutelage were positivity and drive. She has instilled in me the importance of expression, materiality and presentation. She continues to be an example of dedication and pursuit of excellence.
Mo Aziz, Sculptor
My undergraduate education was inspiring and theoretically stimulating, but did not prepare me for being a real-world artist. Through Lyla’s tutelage, I came to understand how grants worked, what shows to apply for, how to write an artist statement or a proposal… in short: how to work and live as an artist. Like every great teacher, her mentorship was instrumental to my success as a working artist as well as to my obtaining a Graduate degree.
Ashley Joy Guindon, Artist and Public Art Project Manager, chART ashleyjoyguindon.carbonmade.com
Lyla acted as a mentor to me, and was an extremely knowledgeable source that provided a significant amount of thoughtful and critical feedback on my artwork.
Catherine Lane, Artist and Sessional Faculty at Sheridan College catherinelane.ca
Lyla guided my practice and worked with me to hone not only my artistic skills, but my also my professional ones. Since then I have received a number of grants of import to my career; I credit Lyla in large part for her counsel in helping me to visualize a path for my personal and professional development.
Sandra Smirle , Artist sandrasmirle.com
What other teachers are saying:
Starting to teach again after not being in the studio classroom for several years was exciting but also a little daunting. My curriculum brainstorming session with Lyla helped me get organized and was the perfect energizer and confidence booster. Lyla had some great ideas for ice breakers, exercises, and how I could make learning engaging for my students.
Stephanie Cormier, Artist and Educator stephaniecormier.com
Lyla is a dedicated artist, instructor, student advisor, and program co-ordinator. Her experience and skills in these fields bring significant and meaningful exchange and outcomes to both her students and colleagues alike.
Cliff Caines, Filmmaker and Artist cliffcaines.com
Having participated with Lyla in group critiques at the Toronto School of Art, I have found the knowledge Lyla imparts interesting, inspirational and very useful, so much so that I have pursued the ideas and suggested readings she has offered to the exhibiting artist, and applied them to my own practice. Lyla’s experience and interest in the greater art world makes her a prodigious resource when seeking feedback and furthering your vision.
Angela Leach, Painter and Professor angelaleach.com
I have had the great privilege of working with Lyla Rye at the Toronto School of Art as a fellow instructor and advisor in the independent studio program. She is an exceptional artist mentor who truly inspires and motivates artists to take their art making, technically and conceptually, to the next level. Lyla brings all of her vast knowledge, professional experience and a generosity of spirit to her mentoring; encouraging and challenging students to refine and expand their art practice, and to be their very best.
Donnely Smallwood, Artist and Educator
As an artist and now educator, I have come to understand the benefits of mentorship from both ends of the spectrum. In my transition years into teaching I worked with Lyla Rye, participating as a faculty member and mentor to students in the ISP/PASC program at TSA. From this experience I benefited greatly. I came to see mentoring as not only as a way of understanding the dynamic between emerging artists and mentors, but also by envisioning a reciprocal dialogue between artists and their concerns in a studio setting. The intellectual and creative energy circulating in these dialogues sustained a passion for ideas which we all have as artists. Lyla was able to create an ideal studio dialogue among artists practicing at various stages of their careers. The discussions were dynamic and collaborative, as inspiring to faculty, as to the student mentors.
Natalie Waldburger, Artist and Professor nataliewaldburger.squarespace.com
Starting to teach again after not being in the studio classroom for several years was exciting but also a little daunting. My curriculum brainstorming session with Lyla helped me get organized and was the perfect energizer and confidence booster. Lyla had some great ideas for ice breakers, exercises, and how I could make learning engaging for my students.
Stephanie Cormier, Artist and Educator stephaniecormier.com
Lyla is a dedicated artist, instructor, student advisor, and program co-ordinator. Her experience and skills in these fields bring significant and meaningful exchange and outcomes to both her students and colleagues alike.
Cliff Caines, Filmmaker and Artist cliffcaines.com
Having participated with Lyla in group critiques at the Toronto School of Art, I have found the knowledge Lyla imparts interesting, inspirational and very useful, so much so that I have pursued the ideas and suggested readings she has offered to the exhibiting artist, and applied them to my own practice. Lyla’s experience and interest in the greater art world makes her a prodigious resource when seeking feedback and furthering your vision.
Angela Leach, Painter and Professor angelaleach.com
I have had the great privilege of working with Lyla Rye at the Toronto School of Art as a fellow instructor and advisor in the independent studio program. She is an exceptional artist mentor who truly inspires and motivates artists to take their art making, technically and conceptually, to the next level. Lyla brings all of her vast knowledge, professional experience and a generosity of spirit to her mentoring; encouraging and challenging students to refine and expand their art practice, and to be their very best.
Donnely Smallwood, Artist and Educator
As an artist and now educator, I have come to understand the benefits of mentorship from both ends of the spectrum. In my transition years into teaching I worked with Lyla Rye, participating as a faculty member and mentor to students in the ISP/PASC program at TSA. From this experience I benefited greatly. I came to see mentoring as not only as a way of understanding the dynamic between emerging artists and mentors, but also by envisioning a reciprocal dialogue between artists and their concerns in a studio setting. The intellectual and creative energy circulating in these dialogues sustained a passion for ideas which we all have as artists. Lyla was able to create an ideal studio dialogue among artists practicing at various stages of their careers. The discussions were dynamic and collaborative, as inspiring to faculty, as to the student mentors.
Natalie Waldburger, Artist and Professor nataliewaldburger.squarespace.com
Stay up to date by subscribing to my newsletter: