Pacific Region Column: Spring 2023

Leaning Into Learning in the Pacific Region

Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow. —Anthony J.D’Angelo

Conferences and workshops are wonderful opportunities for members to continue down the path of lifelong learning. There have been a wide variety of opportunities to dig deeper into the art of being art educators this year. The Pacific Region has amazing state associations hosting conferences for their members. Here are a few highlights from around the region:

California: California has regional conferences every other year and a statewide conference the opposite. The fall regional conference held in the southern area and San Diego region had 250 attendees in November. The conference featured over 50 workshops and studio art classes, two museum events, social meet-ups, and a curriculum slam. Amazing speakers included keynote Betty Avila, as well as Lauren Black and Karla Diaz.

Colorado: The Colorado Art Education Association fall conference’s theme was “ARTIVISM!” The November conference was held in Breckenridge and featured more than 150 inclusive workshops. Danielle SeeWalker and Thom Knab both presented keynotes during the conference. Additionally, a panel discussion was held around the theme of artivism. The conference also had a karaoke night, an art auction, and a “Homecoming, 1985” Saturday night bash.

Montana: At the October fall conference in Helena, the focus was on ED&I. Ray Yang was the keynote speaker; they were followed by Monty Yellow Bird, who helped attendees develop their “why” as leaders. Important work around developing a strategic vision for the Montana Art Education Association using an ED&I lens happened over a working lunch. The conference concluded with a session at the Montana Refuge Gallery in Basin.

Montana Art Educators on a tour of the grounds at the Archie Bray Clay facility. This is a large outdoor kiln for firing bricks. Credit: Autumn Elliot.

Utah: The Utah Art Education Association holds two conferences a year, with their main conference in the spring. The fall conference was held in Draper in November. The theme of the conference was “Fill Your Cup.” Several masterclass workshops included gesture drawing and character development, illustrative exploration in inks, and altered clay forms.

Washington: The Washington Art Education Association held their fall conference over 3 days during November in Vancouver, Washington. The conference featured creative workshops, a vendor fair, a silent auction, an art task party, and even an art show. The theme was “Collaborate – Create – Connect – Community,” and John Spencer was the keynote.

In addition to the amazing conferences and professional development happening, the Pacific Region was selected to be one of two regions this year to host the Fostering STEAM: Professional Development in Art + STEM Integration workshop. This workshop was an amazing collaborative endeavor between NAEA and University of Alaska Fairbanks. Art and science educators worked together to explore hands-on activities to learn strategies which enhanced both science and art concepts and practices. The inquiry model encouraged close observation, open exploration, personal meaning, communication related to process and outcomes, intentional design, and iterations throughout the whole cycle.

Forthcoming are more great opportunities to learn in the Pacific Region through state conferences, which are still being held, and spring workshops across the region. Additionally, there is going to be a Pacific Region Summer Leadership and Art Educator Conference which will be held the last week in June in Laramie, Wyoming. Members from across the Pacific Region are welcome to join in this great opportunity. More information and registration will be available on the NAEA website under the Events tab. Whether it is at a conference, a workshop, a webinar, or at the NAEA Convention, it is important to stay connected to other art educators and the profession. As John Dewey is attributed with stating, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”

Jenn Smith, art educator from Wyoming, learning about surface tension and suminagashi at the Fostering STEAM workshop in Santa Ana, CA. Credit: Abi Paytoe Gbayee.

Column by:

Robyn MacNair, Regional Vice President
Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator, Santa Ana, CA. Email: naeapacificvp@gmail.com

Abi Paytoe Gbayee, Regional Vice President–Elect
Middle School Art Educator, Laramie, WY. Email: abipaytoegbayee@gmail.com