Tom Anderson
Tom Anderson, Ph.D., is the Jessie Lovano-Kerr Professor of Art Education at Florida State University, and is the longest serving member of the faculty, having been appointed in 1983. Widely sought as a keynote speaker, he has addressed more than 50 regional, national, and international conferences. He is co-author, with Melody Milbrandt, of the textbook, Art For Life: Authentic Instruction in Art, which was the inspiration of our conference theme. He is also the author of Real Lives: Art Teachers and the Cultures of School, and a co-founder of the Children’s Guernica Peace Mural Project, which has supported the execution of close to 200 murals in more than 60 countries, including a joint mural by Palestinian and Israeli children, and a mural in Afghanistan. Tom is currently working on editing a book on art education for social justice and another on visual and verbal journaling for self-discovery.
In his keynote, Dr. Anderson will draw from his book, Art for Life. Presenting his art for life model of art education, he will describe its philosophical foundations and how they draw from traditional, modern, and postmodern sources in art and art education and offer goals and practical strategies for the future. In his workshop, “Aesthetic Journaling for Life” Tom will explore the foundations of journaling for the development of understanding oneself, in both the psychological and social contexts, and present practical strategies for teaching and learning in that context. Participants should bring drawing pencils (colored pencils and other colored dry-marking tools may also be useful) and a blank unlined book (5 x 7 or 8 x 10 are good sizes). This workshop is limited to 30 people.
A lifelong resident of McKean, PA, Lee is an internationally acclaimed artist who captures the essence of nature in large-scale watercolors, from the majesty of a mountain sunrise to the elegance of a butterfly's wing. He has had over 20 one-man exhibits at museums, universities and galleries including The Smithsonian Institution, The New York State Museum of Natural History, The Staten Island Institute of Art and Science, Edinboro University, and Chautauqua Institution. Lee's work can also be seen in a number of books including The National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Galápagos: Discovery on Darwin's Island, published by the Smithsonian Institution Press, and he illustrated I Do and I Don't, written by Fred Rogers. After many years as an artist-in-residence at schools and community organizations Lee now directs the Stairways Center for Arts and Humanities, which serves adults and children with major mental illness. In his keynote Lee will tell his story of how he has witnessed the healing power of art and how his career as professional watercolorist and illustrator has prepared him to lead those with mental health disabilities on their own journey to wholeness.
In his workshop, Drawing Form for Better Education, Lee will guide participants through a simple yet powerful drawing exercise. Lee believes this technique is an essential first step for students so they may gain confidence and begin their healing journey. This drawing exercise has proven successful for students 4th grade to adult, with or without disabilities, and is applicable for all levels of instruction.
Gary has spent the last twelve years as a full-time educator, multi-instrumentalist, comedian, recording artist, and keynote speaker. He has presented and entertained at school districts, libraries, education conferences, colleges and universities across the nation. His high-energy and humorous presentations always have a positive message and promote creativity. Before he started traveling the country with his inspirational message Gary was a Kindergarten teacher for 15 years. There he discovered music and art as ideal instructional media. The arts allow students to express their feelings, co-ordinate their intellect, body and imagination, support both cognitive and affective growth, and improve creative writing and reading skills. He has released six recordings of his original music for kids and is the author of My Teacher Rides a Harley, a memoir about kids, creativity, and the power of songwriting. Gary lives with his wife, Anne-Marie Caron, in South Burlington, Vermont, and considers himself very fortunate to have a job he loves.
"My personal quest is to empower teachers so that they can empower students.” Duane Sabiston is an accomplished artist, teacher and speaker. He has presented keynote addresses at several statewide arts conferences, has conducted workshops and residencies at schools and arts organizations in the US and Canada, and has received commissions and held solo shows in North Carolina and Maryland. His keynote is titled “Teaching the 3R’s of Art Education: Rename, Rethink and Restructure All That You Teach.” Teachers leave Duane’s presentations rejuvenated and in touch with themselves as artists. He empowers us to look at our teaching in a new way and to see the potential within all of our students.
For more than 50 years professional educators Ken and Sylvia Marantz have studied, reviewed, and collected picture books. Ken, professor emeritus of art education at Ohio State University, has offered his unique perspective of the picture book as an art object through thousands of reviews, courses, lectures, and articles for educators and others. Sylvia has combined the theoretical and the practical throughout her career as a librarian, book reviewer, and author. Together they have authored eight reference works on the picture book. The outcome of their lifelong interest is the Marantz Collection, a comprehensive collection of nearly 15,000 volumes. From Dr. Seuss and Maurice Sendak to Goodnight, Moon and The Polar Express, this premiere collection represents the best of the modern picture book, and it is the foundation of The Center for the Art of the Picture book at the Columbus College of Art and Design. 
In 2004, Dr. Thomas F. Schantz retired as full professor after teaching thirty-five years at Kutztown University. A beloved professor for thousands of students, Dr. Schantz taught two-dimensional design, animation, and "new" media. While at KU he also served as Chairperson of Art Education & Crafts and directed the Sharadin Art Gallery. In 2003 he received two major awards, the PAEA Pennsylvania Art Educator of the Year and Kutztown University’s Arthur and Isobel Wiesenberger Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. In retirement Tom keeps a busy schedule as a popular lecturer on varied topics such as Native American beadwork, contemporary independent animation, 18th century Curiosity Cabinets, and visual culture in the curriculum. 