Western Region Column: Spring 2023

In early March, art educators from seven Western Region states gathered in Illinois to participate in a fantastic 2-day workshop, Fostering STEAM. Thanks to grants and support from NAEA, we were fortunate to bring in wonderful facilitators from the University of Alaska Fairbanks to lead educators through innovative art experiences integrated with science and technology. Teacher participants were thrilled to bring these ideas back this spring to use with their students!

In just a few weeks, we will convene in San Antonio for the NAEA Convention. Thank you to the NAEA staff who has worked tirelessly to make it a wonderful experience in person and virtually. Special congratulations to Jeanne Bjork (Wisconsin), whom we will honor in person as our Western Region Art Educator of the Year!

Arkansas

The opening reception for the Arkansas Art Educators (AAE) fall conference was at the Clinton Presidential Center in North Little Rock. Allida Black spoke and led a tour of the Women’s Voices exhibit. Speakers included Nancy Silberkleit, co-CEO of Archie Comics; Johnnie Mae Maberry, professor emeritus of art at Tougaloo College; and Matt Boyce, Arts in Education program manager. We began producing a monthly digital newsletter titled “AAE News.” In January, we released an Arkansas art coloring book, featuring artwork about Arkansas created by Arkansas students. The book is for sale on Amazon, and proceeds will go to fund a scholarship for college students wanting to become Arkansas art teachers.

Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Art Education Association (OAEA) began 2023 with a new executive board containing some old and some new faces. The Young People’s Art Exhibit in January was a success. Youth Arts Day at the state capitol on March 2 was exciting as we connected with lawmakers about the importance of art education. Young Talent in Oklahoma, OAEA’s annual high school art competition, happens in the spring and is still going strong after more than 50 years.

Illinois

The Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA) is proud of its robust professional development opportunities being offered throughout the year. Collaborating for Excellence and webinars are two strong examples of these opportunities for our members and beyond. IAEA is gearing up and actively planning for the 75th IAEA conference next October. We are proud of our many leaders and volunteers and all of the work they do for this organization.

Indiana

The Art Education Association of Indiana held its convention on the campus of Purdue University Fort Wayne in late autumn. We were delighted to have keynote speakers Bob Reeker from Nebraska and Wanda Knight, NAEA President-Elect. The convention had around 120 attendees and had sessions stretched out across 3 days. The next convention will be in the Indianapolis area, November 2–4, 2023.

Left to right, Art Education Association of Indiana (AEAI) Convention Chair Laurel Campbell, NAEA President-Elect Wanda Knight, AEAI President (now Past President) Addie Thompson, AEAI President-Elect (now President) Scott Miller.

South Dakota

The South Dakota Art Education Association (SDAEA) held its fall conference in Sioux Falls at Augustana University. We were thrilled to have our keynote speaker, Dick Termes, who also presented a workshop on his famous Termespheres, which was a huge hit with many of our newer teachers. SDAEA is grateful to all of the presenters, speakers, and artists that helped to make the conference a success.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is celebrating having just held our first joint conference with the Art Educators of Minnesota, held in Red Wing, Minnesota. Keynotes Nikki Stewart and Libya Doman and featured speaker Ray Yang inspired everyone to create, connect, and collaborate. It was refreshing for our members to meet new people and have those connecting conversations. Next up, we are excitedly planning for our Youth Art Month celebration. Our state show will be up from March 4 through March 31, with our closing reception to be held on March 31.

A glass-blowing class was offered to Wisconsin members at their joint conference.

Texas

The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) held its 2022 annual conference in McAllen, November 9–12. The workshops and keynote speakers were exceptional and diverse. Our 2023 conference planning is well underway. Visit TAEA.org for more information.

Many of our members are assisting with the San Antonio NAEA Convention. TAEA welcomes you to the Lone Star State!

Column by:

Theresa McGee, Regional Vice President
Art and Digital Media Educator, Hinsdale Middle School, Hinsdale, IL. Email: naeawesternvp@gmail.com

Carrie Barnett, Regional Vice President–Elect
Upper School Art Educator, Cincinnati, OH. Email: naeawesternvpelect@gmail.com