McNeese to host state art education conference

The McNeese State University Department of Visual Arts is hosting the 2018

Louisiana Art Education Association State Conference Nov. 8-10 in the Shearman Fine Arts Center in conjunction with the art educators in Calcasieu Parish Public Schools.

LAEA is a professional organization for persons interested in or engaged in activities related to art, art education or education with the mission of promoting art education through professional development, service, leadership and advocacy.

This event provides a rare ( in-house ) opportunity for McNeese art and art education students to directly observe, learn and network with the top art educators in the state of Louisiana, according to Lynn Reynolds, department chair. More than 100 participants are expected for the conference.

“The Department of Visual Arts will use this opportunity to showcase all aspects of our outstanding institution from our top-notch academic programs and talented faculty to our beautiful campus and state of the art facilities,” says Reynolds.

He said workshop sessions on multiple topics will be offered including graphic arts and visual design, foundations arts, photographic portrait-lighting studio approaches, drawing and illustration techniques, arts travel courses – studies abroad, arts advocacy and funding and exhibitions and art gallery management.

The keynote speaker is Austin Kleon, a New York Times bestselling author of three illustrated books: “Steal Like an Artist,” “Newspaper Blackout” and “Show Your Work!” His latest release is “The Steal Like an Artist Journal: A Notebook for Creative Kleptomaniacs.” He speaks about creativity in the digital age and his work has been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition, PBS Newshour, and in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. An Ohio native, Kleon now lives in Austin, Texas.

Persons needing accommodations as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the ADA Coordinator at 337-475-5428, voice; 337-475-5960, fax; 337-562-4227, TDD/TTY, hearing impaired; or by email at cdo@mcneese.edu.