Remembering John Michael Gray

Dear MAEA Members,

It is with a heavy heart that I write to you this afternoon regarding the unfortunate passing of John Michael Gray.

As the founding father and committed member of MAEA for approximately 40 years, John Michael certainly wore many hats serving tirelessly as Treasurer, President, Conference Coordinator, and Exhibitions Director.

With his long time partner and husband, Timothy O’Connor, the “Hat Sisters” have made a substantial and lasting impact on the art education and LGBTQ community across the state. Their dedication to advocating on behalf of art education is truly unmatched.

For those of us who have been working with John Michael on the Board and through various projects over the years, we will certainly miss his positive, upbeat personality and wonderful calming demeanor. As our unofficial MAEA historian, we valued his insight, advice and guidance in all Board activities. Among his many legacies, John Michael and Tim O’Connor co-directed the Scholastic Art Awards celebrating the creative achievements of our students and provided professional development for our educators through directing the New England Art Education Conference for many years.

As we receive additional information regarding the arrangements and services we will be sure to forward along. If you have the means, please consider donating to the GoFundMe page set up by a family friend to assist with medical expenses – click here.

We are still planning to complete the book for both Tim and John Michael and will present it to Tim at an appropriate time. If you would like to submit a page for the book the deadline for receiving artwork has been extended to October 20. We have many ideas as to how we can best honor John Michael’s memory and commemorate the founding father of MAEA. If you have any ideas, please let us know as we are committed to honoring both John Michael and Tim in the future.

Our most sincere and heartfelt sympathies to his husband Timothy O’Connor and family.

With deep sympathy,

Kristi Oliver
MAEA President, on behalf of the MAEA Board of Directors

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High School Photography Exhibit

October 3 – November 18, 2016

State Transportation Building | Boston

The Massachusetts Art Education Association is continuing a series of art education exhibitions in the second floor atrium/gallery space at the State Transportation Building in Boston.

Photography teachers for grades 9 – 12 have submitted student work for a “first” exhibit of the 2016 – 2017 school year. The past photography exhibits were very well received, and we had lot of positive feedback from students, parents, and teachers as well as the general public and employees in the State Transportation Building.

The exhibit will open on Monday, October 3, 2016. It will hang until Friday, November 18, 2016.

Seeking Nominations for Board and Executive Board Positions

The following MAEA Executive Board positions are currently open for a two-year appointment:

  • President
  • President-Elect
  • Secretary

Please submit a letter of intent, resume/CV, short biography (250 word), and head shot for the election to secretary@massarted.com by October 1, 2016.

Elections for President, President-Elect, and Secretary will open October 15 through October 31 and will be held electronically.

For a description of responsibilities, please refer to the bylaws.

If you have any questions, please contact president@massarted.com

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HIGH SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT OCTOBER 3 – NOVEMBER 18, 2016 STATE TRANSPORTATION BUILDING | BOSTON

The Massachusetts Art Education Association is continuing a series of art education exhibitions in the second floor atrium/gallery space at the State Transportation Building in Boston.

In past years, Photography teachers for grades 9 – 12 have submitted student work for a “first” exhibit of each school year. The past photography exhibits were very well received, and we had lot of positive feedback from students, parents, and teachers as well as the general public and employees in the State Transportation Building.

The exhibit will open on Monday, October 3, 2016. It will hang until November 18, 2016.

Questions: email exhibitions@massarted.com

Letter from MAEA Board concerning Scholastic

You spoke, we listened…..

For the past two years, MAEA leadership has been hearing numerous comments about the direction of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. After gathering much information and discussing the matters at length, we have decided to send a letter to Dennis Inhulsen, NAEA President, and the NAEA Board of Directors asking them to assist us in advocating for changes to the awards program. We hope to convince the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers to restore the program back to its roots in art education while fostering honesty, integrity, and equality.

We are aware that the transition of state affiliates in MA has been a rocky one, however, we do believe the issues we have are not with the state affiliate, rather with the Alliance itself.

To read the letter and NAEA policy statements on contests please click below.

All comments regarding the MAEA’s position on this matter can be sent to president@massarted.com

Congratulations!

The Worcester Center for Crafts is currently beaming with pride as ArtsWorcester recently announced that our Executive Director Honee Hess will be receiving the 33rd ArtsWorcester Award, given to “an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to arts and culture in the city.” Honee and her incredible passion, dedication, and hard work will be celebrated at their annual meeting, Friday, September 12 at 6 p.m.. A reception and the opening of ArtsWorcester fall exhibits will follow.

ArtsWorcester’s Aurora Gallery

660 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610