We are very excited to announce the following M.A. in Art Education community members have been awarded top honors by the National Art Education Association.  Their awards were given to them at the NAEA National Convention in Seattle, Washington on March 17-20, 2011.

• Sharon Johnson, Ph.D., Graduate Director of the M.A. in Art Education, has been selected as this year's recipient of the Eastern Region Higher Education Art Educator of the Year Award.

• Vanessa Lopez-Sparaco, M.A. in Art Education alum, Class of 2007, has been selected as this year's recipient of the Eastern Middle Level Art Educator of the Year Award.

• September L. Buys, M.A. in Art Education alum, Class of 2004, has been selected as this year's recipient of the Western Middle Level Art Educator of the Year Award.

More about Sharon Johnson, Ph. D.

Sharon Johnson, Ph. D. launched the M.A. in Art Education program when she came to MICA more than a decade ago. In this program, Johnson has a strong commitment to mentoring her students' individual research interests derived from their experience teaching art in school, museum and community settings. For more on her and the program, click here.

"There is no greater testament of your exemplary contributions to the field of visual arts education than being chosen for this prestigious award," NAEA Executive Director Deborah Reeve told Johnson upon the announcement of the honor. To read about MICA and the NAEA, please visit: www.mica.edu/naea.