Last weekend, the annual Art Education Association of Indiana Convention took place across the city of Goshen and had multiple events on GC’s campus. The AEAI Convention brought together student and professional art educators from across the state for various workshops and presentations, along with vendors and a collaboration with Goshen’s First Fridays.

At the conference, GC alumni held workshops in their area of expertise, with printmaking, ceramics, sculpture and more being represented. Tiffany Wyse-Fisher ’02, associate professor of art, was one of the presenters. On Friday, she led a workshop on copper enameling, and on Saturday, she gave a presentation on alternative grading in the art classroom.

“I really appreciated seeing all of the pre-service teachers that were there,” Wyse-Fisher said. “There were pre-service teachers from Goshen College but also from other universities and colleges across the state of Indiana and I thought it was really cool to see the future generations of our teachers.” 

The AEAI includes art educators who work with all ages, from early elementary art teachers through college professors. Wyse-Fisher mentioned that, despite the wide array of educators present, the presentations and workshops offered something for everyone.

There were three GC art education students in attendance who are part of the larger AEAI network, and the college financed their tickets to support their involvement in the convention. 

Rosemary Baer, a senior art education major, said, “This conference helped me to gather curriculum ideas, make friends in my field and remember why I am pursuing this career. I am so grateful I was a part of this experience and got to learn so much.” 

Baer took part in a workshop on cyanotype printmaking led by Randy Horst ’83, professor emeritus. She learned to weave willow shoots at a workshop taught by a Goshen resident who grew all the materials herself. Alongside the hands-on learning experiences, she also attended many presentations by local educators.

This state-level convention was organized by Kristen O’Dell, an art teacher at Northridge High School. “Goshen is home to an incredible collection of artists, working studios, guilds, galleries and creative organizations,” O’Dell said. “I felt it was a great opportunity to bring art educators from across Indiana into a community where they could not only learn from one another, but also experience the artistic talent and resources that Goshen has to offer.” 

Many of Goshen’s artist organizations were represented at the convention, including alumni  Ida Short ’15, who founded the Printmakers Guild, and Brenna Daugherty ’11, who runs the Northern Indiana Clay Center alongside her husband. The convention allowed educators across the state to recognize the creativity coming out of both GC and the wider city of Goshen. Over the course of the weekend, a total of 45 presenters led 72 different workshops, and the convention welcomed over 100 attendees. 

“Ultimately, my hope was that attendees would leave with more than just new lesson ideas or techniques to try in their classrooms. I wanted them to experience the value of connecting with other art educators, working alongside practicing artists, exploring new creative opportunities and being reminded of why we do what we do,” said O’Dell.

“It was really, really cool to see the vibrancy in the art building on Friday.” Wyse-Fisher said,  “All these art teachers coming in from all over the state to see what we have to offer and what we’re doing — it just made the building feel alive.”

O’Dell said, “I am incredibly grateful to the Goshen community, Goshen College, local artists, businesses, presenters, volunteers and everyone who helped make the convention possible. It truly took a community effort, and I think that was one of the most meaningful parts of bringing the convention to Goshen.”