Spring 2004

Reflections on Community
Every morning on my way to work I pass a very busy intersection where two large highways intersect. In a hilly median stands a big metal electrical tower, the kind that reminds me of an ugly Eiffel Tower. Dozens of vultures sit together on the many levels of the tower watching the roads.
I imagine them conversing about their plans for the day, the condition of the weather, and what the family is up to. As I drive along further, I see a lone hawk sitting on top a light post, also surveying the roads and hills. I started to think about what made the vultures congregate together while the hawk sat alone. The vultures have a common goal. They form a community on that tower. I thought this was a bit of an analogy for what we do in TAEA. Not to compare the members of TAEA to a bunch of vultures, but we all have much in common, similar goals, and we come from all over the state to form an art community. Many times, art educators in our state, like the hawks, may be isolated and alone. The smaller rural towns and cities may have few art colleagues with which to communicate and interact. Again, TAEA provides a link to be able to connect and be part of a bigger whole in the art education world.

We Are Active and Growing
I am happy to say that our organization is bigger and better than ever. We had tremendous
attendance at our 2003 Dallas Convention, Membership is up and participation in TAEA
mini conferences, High School VASE and Jr. VASE is at an all time high. This is all due to the
fact that TAEA members are willing to volunteer their time and efforts to bring
opportunities to students and share talents and ideas with one another. I want to applaud
all of you for the great things that are happening on behalf of art education and TAEA in our
state. I want to praise my predecessors, Elizabeth Willett and Gloria McCoy, for working to
be sure that our organization strengthened its foundation through long range planning.

Thank You Dallas Area Conference Committee
Speaking of volunteering, the 2003 conference could not have happened without the
efforts of two very special members of our organization, Pam Stephens and Janice Truitt.
Believe me, having been a local chairperson myself, I know what kind of time and
commitment it takes to put together an event of this magnitude. When you see these two
fine ladies, be sure to thank them for their work. TAEA depends on the local committees to
help run our conferences. All of the members in the Dallas area who volunteered their
energies are to be commended for a successful conference that ran like clockwork and
made our stay in Dallas so enjoyable!

Be An Advocate
Advocacy continues to be a focus of TAEA. We concluded the Dallas conference with group
discussions on different aspects of advocacy for visual arts. We plan on compiling these
ideas to become an “Advocacy Kit” that can be provided to our members who are trying to
provide Information to school boards, administrators, and communities about the
importance of visual arts education. Our hope is that the number of art teachers increases
throughout the state. We also continue our advocacy efforts by recognizing people in our
state who have, in some way impacted and supported fine arts Leticia Van de Putte and
Texas Representative Rob Eissler were given awards by TAEA for authoring and sponsoring
Bill 815. This Bill requires that the TEKS be taught in the Enrichment Subjects in Texas,
which includes the fine arts. TMEA Executive Director Bob Floyd and Texas Commission on
the Arts, Deborah Dobbins were also given awards for their dedication and hard work on
behalf the fine arts in Texas. I want to challenge all of our members to make a special effort
this year to an advocate for visual and fine arts in your community. We must continue to
speak our and show everyone that the arts are an essential part of every student’s
education. Advertise your events and accomplishments and publicly bring recognition
to your students.
 
On the Horizon
An exciting item on the horizon is the addition of an Executive Director to our
organization. There is a need for a paid position that will oversee the running of an
organization of our size. Board members have been doing research and plan to advertise
for a part-time position in the very near future. We will continue to have the assistance of
our Executive Assistant, Judy Shimp, with Dillon and Associates, but feel that in order to
grow with the membership, an Executive Director is our next step. I am looking forward to
being your president for the next two years. I ask for your hope that you will give me
feedback and suggestions. Have a great art year in 2004!!!

Kristen Marstaller, TAEA President