Connections Through Contemporary Art: Special Conference for Art Educators to be held at SUNY New Paltz

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NEW PALTZ — The NYSATA, New York State Art Teacher’s Association, Region 7, is holding their third annual professional development conference day for art teachers on Saturday, April 12 at the State University of New York at New Paltz. The one-day conference offers a continuous, immersive experience for the art educator, art education student, and art administrator. Presentations by education staff of regional museums, prominent practicing artists, teacher-led workshops and roundtable discussions, will explore the idea that contemporary art should have an increasingly important role in the education of young artists.

Joe Fusaro, the morning keynote speaker, presently serves on the National Education Advisory Council for the PBS series Art 21, is the Visual Arts Chair for the Nyack Public Schools, a member of the adjunct faculty at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Education, and a National Board Certified Teacher of visual arts.

Wangechi Mutu

Wangechi Mutu, the afternoon keynote speaker, is one of a new generation of prominent female artists, Mutu first came to attention in 2000 with her pin-up drawings, elaborate figurative collages, and installations. Particularly interested in myths about gender and ethnicity that have long circulated in Africa and the West, Mutu has adopted the medium of collage as her main artistic vehicle. Mutu’s work has been exhibited internationally at museums and galleries including the Museum of Modern Art in NYC, Tate Modern in London, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

A selection of museums and organizations participating in the workshop component of the conference include The New Museum of Contemporary Art, Lincoln Center, Hessel Museum of Art/Bard College, Storm King Art Center, Dia:Beacon as well as the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art located on the campus of SUNY New Paltz.

Connections Through Contemporary Art is organized by the SUNY New Paltz Art Education Program – the recipient of the 2007 NYSATA Special Citation for an Institution. The citation was awarded to the SUNY New Paltz Art Education Program in recognition for its leadership in collaborative activities with regional art teachers. The college was nominated by NYSATA Region 7 for partnering in the annual Symposium for Art Educators.

For a registration form, workshop list and schedule, go to www.nysata-7.org or call (845) 565-1832