BANGANI ART FOUNDATION
Padav Art Mentoring Programme 2026
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The Bangani Art Foundation (BAF) was established in 2023 by Jagmohan Bangani and Punam Sharma with the objective of creating meaningful learning opportunities for emerging artists, particularly those from the Himalayan regions of India where access to professional mentorship, institutional support, and artistic networks remains limited. Drawing upon his own experiences as an artist from the remote mountain village of Mounda Bangaan in Uttarakhand, Jagmohan Bangani envisioned a platform that would nurture artistic talent through sustained mentorship, critical dialogue, and experiential learning.
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BAF is committed to supporting the holistic development of young artists through mentoring programmes, workshops, exhibitions, art awards, seminars, residencies, and internships. The Foundation encourages artists to move beyond technical proficiency by developing a deeper understanding of their individual creative processes, cultural contexts, and personal narratives. It regards art as a medium of critical inquiry, reflection, and social engagement, enabling artists to articulate their experiences while cultivating an independent artistic language.
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A significant aspect of BAF's mission is its engagement with the cultural heritage of the Himalayan region. By bringing together artists from Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh, the Foundation facilitates an environment of interdisciplinary exchange where diverse regional experiences contribute to collective learning and creative growth. Since its inception, BAF has evolved into an important platform for emerging artists seeking both artistic development and professional guidance.
Among its flagship initiatives, the Padav Art Mentoring Programme represents the Foundation's most comprehensive educational endeavour. Conceived as an intensive residential mentorship, the programme provides participants with an immersive environment for studio practice, intellectual exchange, and professional development.
Padav Art Mentoring Programme 2026
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The Padav Art Mentoring Programme 2026 was held from 16–21 June 2026 at the Kaaya Learning Centre, Dehradun. Situated within a tranquil natural setting, the six-day residential programme brought together 20 emerging artists, selected from 61 applications received from Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh. The programme was designed to foster artistic experimentation, critical thinking, collaborative learning, and sustained engagement with contemporary art practices.
Throughout the residency, participants engaged in a carefully structured schedule comprising studio practice, technical workshops, artist talks, mentoring sessions, film screenings, group discussions, and open studio interactions. Senior artists and mentors—including Jagmohan Bangani, Poonam Sharma, Santosh Paasi, Subhash Rawat, Nidhi Panta, Abhijit Pathak, and Vikash Kumar—provided individual guidance and introduced participants to diverse aspects of artistic practice, professional development, curatorial processes, and the contemporary art ecosystem.
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The programme commenced with orientation sessions introducing the vision of BAF and the educational philosophy of Padav, followed by collaborative exercises that encouraged interaction among participants. Practical sessions on canvas preparation highlighted the importance of craftsmanship and material understanding within artistic practice.
Subsequent days focused on individual mentoring, enabling participants to critically examine the conceptual foundations of their work through one-to-one discussions with mentors. Professional sessions explored subjects such as the contemporary art market, exhibition practices, pricing strategies, relationships with collectors, and career development, equipping participants with practical knowledge essential for sustaining a professional artistic practice.
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Learning was further enriched through documentary screenings, including The Way I See: Celebrating Ambadas, which encouraged participants to reflect on artistic identity, creative processes, and the broader historical and cultural contexts of contemporary Indian art. Evening presentations by mentors and members of the BAF core team illustrated the evolving nature of artistic practice through personal experiences and visual documentation of their professional journeys.
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A dedicated Artist Speak session encouraged participants to articulate their artistic concerns, conceptual frameworks, and creative processes before the camera. This exercise strengthened their ability to communicate their work confidently within professional contexts while fostering self-reflection and critical awareness.
As the residency progressed, continuous studio practice, peer interaction, and mentor feedback enabled participants to refine both the conceptual and technical dimensions of their artworks. Discussions with curator and researcher Vikash Kumar further expanded participants' understanding of the interconnected roles of artists, writers, curators, institutions, and audiences within the contemporary art world.
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The programme concluded with a public exhibition showcasing the artworks produced during the residency. The exhibition provided participants with an opportunity to present their work to artists, educators, art enthusiasts, and members of the local community, while engaging directly with viewers through discussions about their artistic processes and conceptual approaches.
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Beyond the production of artworks, Padav Art Mentoring Programme 2026 successfully cultivated an environment of intellectual inquiry, collaboration, and mutual learning. It strengthened participants' confidence, broadened their understanding of contemporary artistic practice, and encouraged the development of independent creative voices. Reflecting the meaning of its name—Padav, or a meaningful pause before continuing one's journey—the programme served not as an endpoint, but as a significant milestone in the ongoing artistic and professional development of the participating artists.