Newport News Public Schools, Newport News, Virginia, be­lieves that all people deserve and benefit from experiences in the arts, and that art edu­cators, with the support of NAEA, are significant contrib­utors to the education of all people. “I visualize the future of NAEA as a driving force in advocating for the arts and building a professionalcommunity of art educators who value diversity and expertise.” Franklin says that NAEA’s vision is sup­ported by a strategic plan, and member input, com­munication, and implementation of this plan are vital components to NAEA’s successful growth. “Apprecia­tion of cultural diversity and cultivation of understand­ing is promoted through arts education. It is through the arts that 21st Century skills are utilized and given an environment to flourish. As an educational orga­nization we have a responsibility to promote the value of all art forms, with an emphasis on the visual arts.”

“My vision for NAEA is molded by my personal career in art education. I have had the challenge and plea­sure of teaching art at every grade level from PreK through college. I understand the pedagogy required based in first-hand experiences in diverse venues including public and private schools, museums, universities, and online. As a Fine Arts supervisor, I know the impact of current trends relating to student assessment and teacher evalua­tions. I relate to our basic common beliefs and the diverse needs of the membership of NAEA. We are a versatile combination of individuals with a common belief in the value of visual arts education. It is this core belief that shapes our organization and my vision for our future.”

Ellen Griesidieck, American Mural Project

The project is a hybrid work of art that contains images by Griesedieck as well as colorful contributions made by groups of youngsters nationwide. Griesedieck, who has been working on the mural/sculpture for more than 15 years, declares the painting is coming together in piec­es in a section of two former mill buildings in Winsted, Conn. “It’s a sort of Mount Rushmore of regular peo­ple rather than four great presidents,” says Griesedieck. ltimately comprise the work of over 10,000 students from diverse communities across the country.

When completed, The American Mural Project will be one of the largest indoor collaborative artwork in the world. “It started out as me just making something big so that peo­ple would take notice, and now it’s developed into some­thing to which many wonderful people have contributed.”

Prior to Griesedieck’s involvement with the Ameri­can Mural Project, she has been a photographer for People, Sports Illustratedand Road and Track maga­zines. She has exhibited in Connecticut, New York and Paris, and re­ceived commissions from Times Mirror Magazines, CBS Television, and Gen­eral Motors, as well as many other major cor­porate sponsors. For more information about The American Mural Project, please visit the website http://ameri­canmuralproject.org

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