GAEA Conference Fall 2024

Come make connections between to share experience and ideas between preservice and retired art educators!

The workshop begins with a step-by-step guide on preparing paper for artistic use. Participants learn techniques such as staining, texturing, and priming to enhance the paper's surface for different mediums.With a focus on mixed media, drawing, painting, and even embroidery, attendees discover innovative ways to elevate their creative expression even when traditional canvases or quality watercolor paper aren't readily available.

Purpose is to present creative, cost-effective curriculum-based solution to common art program material challenge of limited budget/surplus materials (paper/paper scraps) with student-centered focus on creative problem solving, encouraging more risk-taking in creation approach. Participants will be provided a variety of papers similar to what they may have in their art rooms (newsprint, construction, copy, magazine) and challenged to create 3D sculptures. Lesson plan will be provided with invitation to adapt and scaffold to personalize to own practice.

“We Want To Do More Than Survive” We want to do more than survive is the title of the best seller written by Bettina Love. Her research centers around the study of the inequalities in the educational system. The ability to have the difficult conversation about the shortcomings of the educational system regarding minority students and their failing hopes and dreams. The discussion and hands on activities allow space for anyone who wishes to make a genuine change in our current systemic failures. The activities and discussion invite participants to engage in the journey toward healing, justice and revolution. Examination of both We Want To Do More Than Survive and Punished for Dreaming is an invitation to listen, critique, heal, and fight for the schools and world we deserve. This opportunity provides space for reflection, rage, sorrow, dreams, and questions.Difficult discussions encourage you to feel, think deeply, and engage in meaningful dialogue and action. To address the inclusion aspect more specifically, We will also examine how neurodivergent children are valued and seen. The goal is for participants to leave with a renewed sense of hope and ideas to address equity, diversity, and inclusion in their personal lives and educational forums shedding the fear of having those difficult conversations that foster systemic change.

Using contemporary works of art as starting points, learn how you and your students can visualize data using a variety of sculpture materials, including basket reed, yarn, paper and wire. Participants will create small assemblage sculptures using a variety of media after learning strategies for visualizing data in creative ways.

The presentation explores the increase in confidence and self-efficacy in using Mixed Reality Simulations (MRS) to prepare pre-service teachers. Currently our pre-service candidates have field experiences, and clinical experiences of being in the classroom with students and the mentor teacher. They are not allowed to sit in and observe or participate in parent teacher conferences, 504 meetings, IEP meetings, student behavior/discipline meetings, or communications with parents (outside of those volunteering). The Mixed Reality Simulator provides a safe (virtual) environment for pre-service teacher to practice these conversations, record, watch, reflect, discuss, and learn from their experience. Pre-service teachers stand in front of a screen and talk directly with the simulation (see the picture). The simulation has been preset with a scenario. For example: the scenario may be a parent/teacher conference where the student is being unsafe in the classroom, or bullying another student or the parent is complaining about the student’s grades. The experience is recorded. The pre-service teacher participating then watches and writes a reflection about the experience, challenges, etc. There will be a MRS experience at the beginning of the semester as well as the end of the semester, allowing students time to learn, have their field experience in-between. Additionally, there will be class discussions on the experiences that will be audio recorded with field notes, to allow for comparison on the pre and post experiences. Student reflections will be artifacts of data as well. The presentation will include a sample recording of the MRS experience as well as reflections from the students and an analysis of the student reflections. The hope is this new technology will build confidence and better prepare our pre-service teachers.

Discover a new twist (or stitch!) to mixed-media collage. An introduction to basic collage techniques -- combining paper and found materials with drawing and painting -- is followed by the additional element of stitching and embellishing. Participants will explore abstract and narrative compositions while experimenting with the opportunity to mix materials in surprising ways. Opportunities for differentiation to include all grade and skill levels is an important element of the workshop. Participants will create their own small canvas mixed-media artwork.

For over 30 years, Cosplay has been an avenue of connection and creativity for fans of media, anime, movies, video games, theatre and pop culture. Across the world, cosplayers gather at conventions to show off incredible handmade costumes that feature robotics, metalwork, sculpture and sewing. Cosplay can offer an enjoyable and inclusive experience for students of all ages, fostering self-expression and camaraderie. Learn the basics of EVA foam, thermoplastics, mold making and more!

This presentation will provide examples of art integration lessons that incorporate art standards as well as content standards. The lessons will be easily adaptable to multiple grades. The presentation will include an introduction to art integration as we see it impactfully practiced in our schools today. We will discuss the benefits of including other content areas in our art instruction such as: helping students to make personal connections to the content, increased overall academic achievement, developing student’s ability to apply learning to other experiences, and many more. Presenters will walk through specific lessons which integrate art with math, language arts, literacy, science, and social studies so that they will leave with relevant lessons to implement immediately. All lessons will support art standards as well as content standards.