Retired Art Educators Affiliate (RAEA) Column: Summer 2023

Retired Art Educators Affiliate Interest Group

Did you know that RAEA began in 1986 with John Michael as the first President? Our purposes are to define and establish the role of retired art educators as an interest group of NAEA; to conduct programs of professional activities for state and national events; to encourage continued personal involvement and development in art education; to inform state associations and NAEA of concerns relevant to members of long standing; and to encourage and support, as well as provide mentorship for, student members of NAEA. Membership is free.

RAEA Events at the 2023 NAEA Convention in San Antonio

Annual Business Meeting and Nomination and Election of New Officers

Elected officers include Past President Betsy Logan (AL), President Nancy Walkup (NM), and Secretary Becky Blaine (IL). Officers continuing in appointed positions include Parliamentarian Lorraine Poling (DE), RAEA Emeritus E-Bulletin Co-Editors Flowerree McDonough and Donna Anderson (both TN), Preservice Liaison Linda Willis Fisher (IL), and RAEA Emeritus NAEA Awards Chair Boo Ruch (TN).

Nominees for elected positions include President-Elect Debi West (SC/GA) and Treasurer Richard Siegesmund (CA). Both nominees were approved by those present at the meeting. New appointed positions include RAEA Silent Auction Chair Melody Weintraub (TN), and Membership Chair Denise Tullier-Holly (LA).

Remembrances

Remembrances were given by members for friends and colleagues who have recently died: Clem Pennington, “Mr. Art Education,” and David Weston Baker, who served as NAEA President from 1989 to 1991 and as editor of SchoolArts Magazine for 11 years.

RAEA Emeritus E-Bulletin Report

Congratulations to the RAEA Emeritus E-Bulletin coeditors Flowerree McDonough and Donna Anderson, the E-Bulletin received another NAEA Category III Honorable Mention Award!

RAEA Annual Silent Auction at NAEA

The annual RAEA Silent Auction raised approximately $830 through bids and donations. Funds raised through an annual auction of member artwork at the NAEA Convention is used to sponsor awards for the National Retired Art Educator of the Year and the Outstanding Student Chapter. (It is never too early to be planning on art to bring to the Annual Art Auction for 2024 in Minneapolis.)

National Emeritus Art Educator of the Year

At our 2023 awards presentation, Judy Kelley Jordan was recognized as the 2023 National Emeritus Art Educator of the Year. Among her many accomplishments, Judy has immersed herself in visual arts education, impacting students, teachers, and organizations on a local, state, and national level. Judy continues to serve her community in Knoxville, Tennessee, as an art educator, community leader, advocate for the arts, and accomplished artist. While teaching in the classroom, she served the Tennessee Art Education Association as Secretary-Elect, Secretary, Membership Chair, and Secondary Representative.

After retiring from the school system, she continued to serve TAEA as Treasurer for 4 years. Judy accepted the responsibility of continuing a local exhibition that had been started by Knoxville art teachers. She has been in charge of every aspect of this huge undertaking, which recognizes art students and art teachers and is now connected with the Tennessee Valley Fair.

Three years ago, Judy was chair of the Knoxville Museum of Art’s Exhibition for the 100th Anniversary of the Fair. The cirector of the Tennessee Valley Fair, Best of Show winners, art teachers, and community friends attended a celebration Judy planned and executed. Later, during COVID, she created a virtual platform to continue this showplace for student art and opportunities for those students to win scholarships. It has now returned to an in-person venue at the Fair.

After retiring, she went into supervision where she served for 9 years with the University of Tennessee art education program. Judy competes in juried art education competitions on a local, state, and national level. She serves as an officer and committee member of the Knoxville Watercolor Society. Her outstanding work has been accepted into the Tennessee Watercolor Society, where it has received recognition. Judy tirelessly advocates for art education in the Tennessee Watercolor Society, the Knoxville Museum of Art, community art groups, and her church.

[[image #### "National Emeritus Art Educator of the Year, Judy Kelley Jordan, with Boo Ruch and Betsy Logan."]]

[[image-narrow #### "Digital illustration: Nancy Walkup"]]

Column by:

Nancy Walkup, RAEA Chair