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Art is Power Art as Activism Poster Contest for High School Students

Leading Ladies would like to invite your students to participate in the 2024 Art as Activism Poster Contest for high school students in northern Massachusetts, specifically in Middlesex and Essex Counties. This year’s theme is encouraging people to vote.

The contest is sponsored by Leading Ladies, a nonpartisan North Shore group dedicated to social justice and the importance of voting. We believe in art as activism and that art can be an especially effective way for students to find their voices.

Important details about this year’s contest:
  • All entries must be designed to encourage people to vote in the upcoming 2024 elections
  • Entries can be directed at a general audience, or a particular group (women, people with disabilities, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Asian Americans, etc.)
  • Entries must be able to be posted electronically as well as printed
  • Entries will be judged by a panel of professional artists and art educators
  • The top three poster submissions will receive cash prizes
  • A group of the top entries and honorable mentions will be displayed this spring and summer at Beverly’s Arts Fest; The Mayor’s Gallery in Beverly City Hall; and other venues TBD
  • Submissions are due by April 14, 2024 and can be submitted here via google form
  • Winners will be announced on May 1, 2024

Participation details can be found here on the Leading Ladies website, and downloadable guidelines to share with students can be found here.

More information can be found here: leadingladiesvote.org/art-is-power 

February 10, 2024 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Student Exhibit Opportunity

The International Fiber Collaborative has two local exhibit opportunities. IFC will ship canvases to those who sign up. Contact them directly here or via email jennifer@ifcprojects.com.

Springfield Armory National Historic Site, MA, Exhibit 5
May 1 – June 30, 2023
Theme: What does “progress” mean to you?
At Springfield Armory National Historic Site, we often think of “progress” in the terms of technological innovation, craft production to interchangeability, iron to steel, and water power to electricity.
Postmark Due Date: Friday, March 17, 2023
Past exhibits: Exhibit 4, Exhibit 3

Salem Maritime National Historic Site, MA, Exhibit 5
July 1 – August 31, 2023
Theme: Commemoration of America 250 – the Revolutionary War, Read More
Postmark Due Date: Friday, May 19, 2023
Past exhibits: Exhibit 2, Exhibit 3

December 29, 2022 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Vote to Elect Elizabeth Buck as Treasurer

We are happy to share that Elizabeth has expressed interest in the role of Treasurer. While Elizabeth is running unopposed, please take a moment to cast your vote in support. You will find the ballot in an email that was sent to MAEA member emails on December 15 from info@massarted.com. The deadline to cast your vote is January 4, 2023.

Below you can read her full bio as well as what additional positions we are currently looking to fill on the MAEA Board of Directors.

Artist-educator Elizabeth Buck has taught art since 2004 to youth and adults in many non-profits, schools, and museums throughout central Massachusetts. As an educator, Elizabeth helps others learn to enjoy their creativity and successfully express their thoughts, experiences, and emotions through art. As a program manager at the Worcester Art Museum, she concentrates on providing enjoyable, high-quality art experiences for visitors and students, supporting her staff, and helping to highlight artists in the community.

The MAEA board is filled by MAEA members just like you. Consider giving back to your state association in the role of an official board position.
We have a number of positions open for a full or partial term. If you are interested or want more information, please reach out to secretary@massarted.com!
  • Elementary Division Director – Jan 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2024
  • Secondary Division Director – Jan 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2024
  • Higher Education Division Director – Jan 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2024
  • Supervision/Administration Division Director – Jan 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2024
  • Awards Committee Chair – Jan 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2024
  • Webmaster (non-voting) – Jan 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2024
  • Retired Representative – Now – Dec 31, 2023
  • Community Arts Representative – Now – Dec 31, 2023
  • Exhibitions Committee Chair – Now – Dec 31, 2023
  • Advocacy Liaison – Now – Dec 31, 2023
  • Publications Editor – Now – Dec 31, 2023
More information about any of the other the positions above can be found here. If you are interested in any of these positions please submit a resume or CV and a letter or email of intent to secretary@massarted.com.
December 16, 2022 Melissa Mastrolia 0

New President-Elect

The MAEA Board of Directors is pleased to welcome a new board member. Please join the MAEA Board of Directors in welcoming Cari DiCicco to the role of President-Elect.
Cari is stepping into a partial term as President-Elect and will be taking over as President come January, 2024. If you are interested in connecting with Cari, please contact her at presidentelect@massarted.com. You can read Cari’s bio below and learn more about joining the MAEA Board.
Caroline “Cari” A. DiCicco is the K-12 Art Coordinator for the Everett Public Schools. She is a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and Lesley University. She has been an active visual art educator in the greater Boston area since 2008, and is an avid painter and sculptor. She has supervised aspiring educators from both Framingham State University, Tufts University and the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and has guest lectured in the Art Education departments of Framingham State and Mass Art. This past year, she has completed the MTA and NEA’s Teacher Leadership Institute and facilitated professional development for Everett educators surrounding Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. She received a Crystal Award for her capstone project at this year’s annual MTA meeting. Cari has spent the last few years teaching visual art at the George Keverian School, as well as leading their well attended Art Club. She and her students have participated in various art exhibitions at the Malden courthouse, Everett City Hall, as well as murals at Beautification Way and Rivergreen Park during Mayor Carlo DeMaria’s Spring Clean Up Day. Cari recently exhibited work in Montserrat College of Art’s annual Inspired Views exhibition. In her spare time, she is passionate about helping others enhance their lives through fitness as a local CrossFit Coach and recently won first place at an RPS Powerlifting Meet.
The MAEA board is filled by MAEA members just like you. Consider giving back to your state association in the role of an official board position.
We have a number of positions open for a partial term. If you are interested you can learn more about each specific position here. 
  • Awards Committee Chair Now – Dec 31, 2022
  • Secondary Division Director Now – Dec 31, 2022
  • Retired Representative Now – Dec 31, 2023
  • Community Arts Representative Now – Dec 31, 2023
  • Exhibitions Committee Chair Now – Dec 31, 2023
  • Advocacy Liaison Now – Dec 31, 2023
  • Webmaster Now – Dec 31, 2023
  • Publications Editor Now – Dec 31, 2023
If you are interested in any of these positions please submit a resume or CV and a letter or email of intent to secretary@massarted.com.
August 25, 2022 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Congratulations Alexandra Gelles Etscovitz

The Arts|Learning Distinguished Arts Educator Advocate Award recognizes arts educators in music, dance, theater, and the visual arts who demonstrate leadership and excellence in teaching and the development of model arts programs and partnerships. These outstanding educators use the arts and cultural resources to support opportunities for multicultural learning and interdisciplinary planning, and to further the role of the arts in education.

LYNN S. FELDMAN DISTINGUISHED VISUAL ART EDUCATOR ADVOCATE

The Feldman Award is being given to two educators this year. The second art educator we are celebrating is Alexandra Gelles Etscovitz.

Alexandra loves being an art teacher. Alexandra has been teaching visual art for 18 years at Memorial Spaulding Elementary School in Newton, Massachusetts. Her passion for allowing children to express themselves, interpret, reflect and understand the world around them through creative expression has driven her to both teach art and act as an arts integration champion for all content areas and best practices. Alexandra instructs visual art in Needham with her after-school business
Art4YourChild, along with being an adjunct professor at her alma mater Brandeis University, teaching creativity in the masters of education program for classroom teachers. Alexandra was named the Massachusetts Elementary Art Educator of Year in 2019.
Alexandra appreciates teaching children during such a formative time in life, where possibilities are endless. Her goal is to infuse art and creativity in every area of learning and growth. Her experience with children has led her to a strong core philosophy that the world needs creativity as a means to understand the ever-changing world around us. The studio habits of the arts allow children to grow into thinkers, creators and changemakers that the world needs. With this knowledge, Alexandra hopes to cultivate a love for the arts with all students for a deeper connection to themselves, their community and the world.
SAVE THE DATE!

The 34th Annual Champions of Arts Education Advocacy Awards Celebration will be held on November 17th at Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA 01566

This year’s event will be live AND livestreamed! Stay tuned for more information about this event.

October 2, 2021 Melissa Mastrolia 0

WAEA Virtual Conference Partnership – Exhibit Opportunity

MAEA is happy to share that we are partnering with the Wisconsin Art Education Association to provide MAEA members with a fall virtual conference opportunity. 20/20 Vision will be hosted online on October 24, 2020 with a mix of both live events and pre-recorded sessions. All live sessions will also be recorded and added to the library of sessions and you will have access to those sessions until December 31, 2020 so you will be able to view sessions at your own pace.  Featured Massachusetts presenters include Sandy Coleman, Lauren Gould, Lydia Gruner, Chris Hall, Diane Jaquith, Kristi Oliver, and Margaurita Spear, and Emily & Robb Sandagata. Learn more and register for this opportunity here.

REgister here to be one of The first 500 attendees to register  to receive a swag bag!

MAEA members are also invited to participate in the virtual exhibit. Visit the conference page here for more information and to register. Registration for the exhibit opportunity closes September 27.

REGISTER HERE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VIRTUAL EXHIBIT WHICH OPENS OCTOBER 23!
September 26, 2020 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Remote Learning Resources

With many art educators across the state planning for distance learning or online learning through April 6 the MAEA Board of Directors wanted to share a collection of resources we’ve put together ourselves or have seen shared online. Click here to view resources.

Each school and/or district is approaching this differently, so please check with your appropriate administrator before implementing any of these resources.

If you have additional items to add to this resource list, please feel free to email webmaster@massarted.com with additional materials.

March 23, 2020 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Congratulations to the 2020 Art Educators of the Year

It is with great pride that we announce the 2020 MAEA Art Educators of the Year. If you would like to honor a colleague please consider nominating them when our nominations open up later this year in November! Learn more. 

MAEA Lifetime Achievement Award –
Timothy O’Connor – New England Art Education Conference, Boston

Art Educator of the Year –
Lizzie Fortin – Worcester Public Schools

Elementary Art Educator of the Year –
Jacob Ginga – Weston Public Schools

Middle Level Art Educator of the Year –
Jonathan Hansen – Mendon-Upton Regional School District

Secondary Art Educator of the Year –
Amanda Davis – Hull Public Schools

Higher Education Art Educator of the Year –
Lora Barrett – University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Museum Art Educator of the Year –
Julie Bernson – deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum, Lincoln

Early Childhood Art Educator of the Year –
Mary Geisser – Bunker Hill Community College, Boston

Exceptional New Art Educator of the Year –
Callie Mulcahy – Worcester Public Schools

Distinguished Service Within the Profession –
Robb Sandagata – Davis Publications, Worcester

Distinguished Service Outside the Profession –
Marc Mastrolia – Ride Studio Cafe, Lexington

September 15, 2019 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Massachusetts Right Whale Climate Mosaic

In mid-June, Our Climate’s youth leaders will be constructing a huge mosaic of a Right Whale on the Boston Common to show our support for strong, effective Massachusetts climate policy. The mosaic will be made out of 12”x12” tiles, preferably from recycled cardboard, but foam board, poster board, etc. all work as well, decorated with a response to the prompt: “What to we stand to lose to climate change?” People are encouraged to write their name, age and representatives on the other side, and have the option to write to their representative responding to the prompt “What climate solutions make you feel hopeful?”

Making art related to climate change is a great way to get youth involved in the environmental movement, especially because their futures are most directly affected. Want to get involved? Host a tile-making party! Deliver completed tiles to an Our Climate Fellow or staff, or send them to: 
Our Climate, attn: Eben Bein
5 Glenn Terrace
Cambridge, MA 02139

Check out the Facebook event for regular updates and information about the event! For more information on the event and tile-making, click this link.

Have questions or need help with anything? Email Our Climate’s New England Coordinator Eben Bein at eben@ourclimate.us

February 23, 2019 Melissa Mastrolia 0