National Art Education Conference

Waterville High School Art Teacher, Suzanne Goulet, thoughts on her trip to NYC

Energized and exhausted……….

Middle of June? Ready for summer…..right?

It is only the beginning of March and it is time to reflect on the incredible opportunity of attending the national convention for the National Art Education Association held recently in New York City.

A thousand offerings of workshop opportunities, cultural resources, provocative general sessions and intimate pedagogical conversations with colleagues can be overwhelming to plan…….but you don’t have to…….it happens every year……and you just have to get there.

A few snapshots:

Chuck Close

The president of RISD (“reason I am sleep deprived”), John Maeda presented the argument for respecting the role of the arts in The Meaning of Innovation…..in a revealing delivery on how only one letter separates “FEAR” from “FREE” (“STEM” to “STEAM”).

The conversation between Chuck Close and Irving Sandler (one with thousands of people…standing room only in the grandest of halls) had me envisioning us in an apartment, …. Left Bank?……were we in a salon? Struggling with math his whole life…..I now question the role of SAT scores in selection for art scholarships….Mr. Close stressed the teaching of good solid work ethics…….something he is thankful for having a good foundation in.

A few surprise passing meetings of Maine colleagues (we have to go to NY to see each other?) workshops, workshops, sessions, sessions and more late in to the night content investigations with colleagues from VT, LA, and DE…….”How do you do this?……where is your state on….? You have snow days?…we have fog days!”  Invigorating visits to the Met, MoMA and my favorite noodle nook (I can now order, “the usual”) registering 15 miles in three days on the pedometer……how DOES that happen?……..

One of two final slides from Olivia Gude session- "Evocative and Provocative Pedagogy: Toward a Culture-Changing Curriculum"

Energized and exhausted………

…..and it is NOT the middle of June.

This is a good thing……..I have time to implement these discoveries…….not a moment to loose!

(2013 convention scheduled for Fort Worth and 2014 is in San Diego……….see you there?)

Thank you Suzanne for sharing the highlights of your trip. I can almost imagine being there!