Wrap-Up: New Mexico-Based Art Educators at the 2022 NAEA Conference–

The New Mexico Art Education Association was well-represented at last month's 2022 National Art Education Conference in New York City. The conference posted 4500+ total participants (including 25+ New Mexico-based in-person, virtual, and hybrid conference participants), as well as 17 members of our state's organization who presented sessions, shared student work, conducted studio workshops, and/or joined in different roundtable discussions.

It was fantastic to have so many first-time presenters and co-presenters from New Mexico listed in the conference program– The proposal process for national conference presenters continues to be highly-selective, and all New Mexico-based presenters need to be commended for their selection. We had a good turnout for the meet-and-greet event on Thursday evening and it was great to have an opportunity to meet so many teachers (and from all corners of the state) face-to-face after two years of virtual-only events and on-screen meetings. New Mexico's Art Educator of the Year Cynthia Hannah was officially recognized for her outstanding work at the Western Region Awards Ceremony on Saturday afternoon. I might be a little biased, but I found Cynthia's acceptance speech to be the most heartwarming, gracious, and thoughtful speech of the afternoon.

Congratulations again to Cynthia!