Western Region Column: Fall 2023

Art Education Leaders From Across the Western Region Attend Summer Conference and State-Level Events

In late June, the Western Region held a summer leadership conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan. State art education leaders gathered to share ideas, collaborate on challenges, and learn from each other. The conference also featured a keynote address by NAEA Executive Director Mario Rossero, which helped to strengthen the connection between NAEA and the issues you encounter each day in your role as an art educator. Your state leaders gained valuable insights, forged meaningful relationships, and are looking forward to building on the momentum of the conference. They are eager to share what they learned and to help you make a difference in your schools and communities.

The Western Region had fabulous things happening in art education at the state and local levels this summer. We appreciate the many who step up to volunteer their time and improve their teaching practice.

[[image #### "Group photo of attendees during the Western Region Leadership Conference, Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids, Michigan. "]]

Wisconsin

WAEA offers educator grants for its members. This year, Heart Spirits (Jen Dahl) focused on generating awareness of human trafficking and its impact on Indigenous people. Visiting Canadian artist Cheryl Ring founded the project. Each participant made a clay heart named for a missing or murdered Indigenous woman of Wisconsin. The district hosted an art show depicting the hearts. WAEA is proud to support compassionate art teachers.

Texas

The Texas Art Education Association provided a host committee for the NAEA Convention in San Antonio this past April. The Convention was a huge success! Congratulations to all that were involved. We launched our new online community platform, Higher Logic, as a means for membership across the state to communicate and share ideas about art education. We will reinforce our learning in the upcoming TAEA Fall Conference in Allen, November 16–18, with the themes being “Off the Wall” and “Out the Box.” Our keynote speakers will be Christopher Anderson, who will speak on arts Advocacy, and John Bramblitt, who will share his life journey as a visually impaired artist.

South Dakota

SDAEA has been working to build our leadership team and our social media presence. Our members recently attended the 24th annual AEI conference at Northern University, where we learned new techniques in textiles, ceramics, computers, drawing media, and so much more. Our fall conference will be a 3-day conference held at Black Hills State University and will be combined with the colleges and the National Photographic Society.

Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Art Education Association fall conference is at the University of Central Oklahoma on November 10 and 11. We are excited for the theme, “Creating, Cultivating, and Connecting,” as we bring together art educators from around the state to collaborate and workshop. OAEA also continues to work with other arts advocates as we develop programs and benefits for our members. https://www.oaea-ok.org

Indiana

The Art Education Association of Indiana has a summer tradition. Some of our members gather at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in western Indiana for a few days of fellowship and creating. It’s like a mini-convention with multiple sessions covering a variety of media. All are welcome! St Mary’s isn’t too far from the state line if any of our Illinois friends want to join in next summer.

[[image #### "Workshop demonstration at Indiana’s mini-conference at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College."]]

Illinois

Led by the EDI committee chairs, Illinois, Missouri, and Tennessee cohosted a professional development session with the dynamic Libya Domain. The session focused on practical ways to cultivate inclusive learning environments and teaching practices. Illinois is excited to host the 75th IAEA Conference this fall. We have many activities planned to highlight our IAEA history, celebrate our many successes, and provide a robust conference with a variety of sessions and hands-on workshops.

Arkansas

The Arkansas Art Educators fall conference is set for November 1–3 in North Little Rock. Speakers include nationally syndicated cartoonist John Deering, artist and author Alice Aida Ayers, and former AAE President Lynn Smith. The conference will kick off with an event at the Clinton Presidential Library, cosponsored by the Arkansas Education Association. Our second coloring book, Arkansas Art: Summer Fun, is now available on Amazon.

As you head into the school year, remember that your work has a profound impact on the world, even if you don’t always see it. Art educators make a difference!

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