NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ - Houston, TX, United States, 2012/02/16 - In its fourth year, there were a record number of applications for John Ross Palmer's Escapist Mentorship Program from all over the globe. After a written application and interview phase, five amazingly-talented artists were selected - JohnPalmerArt.com.

John Ross Palmer is proud to announce the members of the 2012 Escapist Mentorship Program:

• Leigh Mauze Armstrong*
• Sonya Cuellar
• Tra Slaughter
• Lauren Jay Wondra Smyth**
• Anita Varadaraju

These five amazingly-talented artists were picked from a record number of applicants from around the globe. First, they were required to submit a written application with art images and essays. As a Finalist, they presented themselves for an interview via Skype. The panelists for scoring the written and interview portions of the process were comprised of top Palmer collectors and former Escapist Artists. You can read all about this empowering program by visiting EscapistProgram.com.

Palmer is thrilled with this year's new crop of Escapist Artists. "Our first group meeting, held on Saturday, February 11, 2012, was amazingly inspiring. Each artist created a sculpture that symbolized their goals for this year and then described their piece to the others. I was impressed beyond belief!" John Ross Palmer's Art Movement of Escapism is aimed at forever destroying the stereotype of the struggling artist. His mentorship program, created in 2009, aims to teach artists how to sell on their own, self-promote and not be tied to the traditional art gallery system. Palmer does this as a means of giving back to the art world--it is entirely free. Unlike many other artists that are concerned with the competition, John Ross Palmer sees the inherent benefit of elevating all artists to add power to the profession.

If you have questions about Artist John Ross Palmer or his Escapist Mentorship Program, please contact gallery co-owner Ryan Lindsay.

*Leigh Mauze Armstrong is the youngest Escapist Artist in the history of the program at age 18. She is a senior in high school and has won a full merit scholarship to attend the Art Institute of Chicago.

**Lauren Jay Wondra Smyth is the first ever "international" Escapist Artist. Lauren lives in London, England with her husband Jeremy and their new son, Tobias Carrington Wondra Smyth.

Agency / Source: John Palmer Art

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