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Hello Everyone! Right now, I’m blogging to you live from the National Art Education Association (NAEA) National Convention in Fort Worth, Texas.Every year, art educators from across the country get together for four days at the NAEA National Convention. It’s a time to share curriculum ideas and talk about specific art education issues like environmentally conscious art-making in the classroom, teaching art to students with disabilities, public art, etc., as well as listen to keynote speakers. Last year, Chuck Close came. I’m not sure who the keynote speaker for this year’s conference is, but I don’t know if they can top him!

The most exciting part of it all is the FREE STUFF!! Every year, there’s a vendor exhibition hall where major art suppliers like Blick, Utrecht, Nasco, and Crayola give free samples to everyone. I’ve gotten everything from free paints, lesson plans, Crayola Model Magic sculpting clay. You name it. Last year was my first time going, and the cohort ahead of mine told all of us to carry a huge suitcase but pack lightly. I filled my suitcase will all kinds of art education goodies, and I can’t wait to go home with more this year.

One of our student chapter members, Melissa Miller, will be speaking at the Student Round tables this year on an activity she came up with at Columbia about color theory. Student round tables are an awesome professional development opportunity for art education students to discuss new ideas, lesson plans, and art making activities with other students and current teachers. It’s a great place to bounce ideas around and get valuable feedback. Columbia’s student chapter is amazingly active, and I’m glad to be a part of such an engaged and professional group of students.

Incidentally, Melissa is going to be guest blogging next week about her NAEA experience! I’m sure she’ll have some excellent insights!