A cross-cultural mentoring dyad that emerges from a more internally motivated, non-obligatory relationship has the potential to co-evolve into a collaborative awareness of diverse educational experiences, cultural perspectives, and critical examinations. We present our rationale and benefits for a successful mentoring foundation built on trust that was first initiated to discuss shared experiences of working with profoundly challenging forensic populations. The value of converging and diverging viewpoints between us, further informing a deeper examination and reflections on our own identities and dynamics of power, eventually evolved into a goal-focused endeavor such as writing and publishing. Ultimately, we emphasize the value of mentoring within and for the art therapy community, particularly to amplify diverse connections and learning, one relationship at a time. •Cross-cultural mentoring built on trust facilitates collaborative awareness.•Mentoring allows open and critical dialog on identities, theories, and approaches.•It can evolve into a goal-focused endeavor such as writing and publishing.•Sustaining mentoring can amplify connections and learning for both parties.