Greetings!

Do you have a colleague who would be interested in becoming a member of FAEA for the 2026-2027 school year? Encourage them to join or renew their FAEA membership to gain access to FAEA's events, resources, and opportunities this fall and spring!

The Masterpiece is Complete: Finish Strong

Dear FAEA Family,

As we leave April and what feels like one of the longest months of the year, we find ourselves in the final stretch of the 2026 school year. May is a special time for our community as we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, honoring the incredible dedication and inspiration you pour into your students every single day. The arts are truly the heartbeat of our schools and communities, serving as a vital force for advocacy and creativity. Thank you for being the reason that student came to school today and for making the world a much more beautiful place. 

Teacher Appreciation: Celebrate Your Dedication

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we are offering two special opportunities to focus on your well-being and professional growth.

• Free Virtual Workshop: Join us Tuesday, May 5, 6:00- 7:00 PM ET for "Mindful Making: Restorative Practices for the Art Educator" with Lark Keeler. This session is free for members and focuses on restorative mindfulness through simple drawing materials.
• Teacher Appreciation Raffle: Enter for a chance to win a Wacom MovinkPad 11 pen touch display valued at $449.99! The deadline is May 7, at 11:59 PM ET.

Celebrating Student Excellence: 2026 FSAA Winners

I am thrilled to officially announce the winners of the 2026 FAEA Florida Student Art Assessment (FSAA)! This year saw a record-breaking nearly 2,000 entries which is the largest number of submissions in our program's history.  Please join me in congratulating the artistry of your students. 

• Best in Show: Eva Aadil (Grade 10), Self-Examination, Palm Harbor University High School.
• Elementary School Winner: Sofia Zarembo (Grade 5), Coastal Blue, Felix A. Williams Elementary.
• Middle School Winner: Lauren Oliva (Grade 8), Sibling Rivalry, Hammocks Middle School.
• High School Winner: Analia Lleonart Dumenigo (Grade 10), From a Notebook in Cuba...to Canvas in the USA, St. Petersburg High School.

As we celebrate our students, let us also recognize the work of our outstanding members. The FAEA is currently accepting nominations for the 2026 FAEA Awards Program. The deadline is June 1, 2026. 

New Advocacy Resources: We Are in Your Corner

At FAEA, we all understand that art educators across Florida are facing unprecedented challenges. To better support you, the FAEA Advocacy Committee has launched a new initiative to provide direct assistance.

• Advocacy Assistance Request Form: This new form serves as a direct line of communication between you and the FAEA Advocacy Committee.
• Who It Is For: This resource is specifically designed for educators navigating program reductions, position eliminations, or administrative access barriers.
• Advocacy Toolkit: Upon submission, a committee member will follow up to provide personalized guidance and a soon-to-be-released toolkit of advocacy resources tailored to your district.
• Get Started: The form takes only a few minutes; if your program or position is at risk, please reach out.

As we navigate these final busy weeks, know that FAEA is always in your corner, no matter how near or far you are. Now, turn on your favorite track, shake your tail feathers, and sing along. The finish line is near!

Warmly,

Christy Garton

President, Florida Art Education Association

P.S. Together we are STRONGER!

Enter to Win a Wacom MovinkPad 11

Teacher Appreciation Week is here, and we're celebrating with a special raffle opportunity sponsored by Wacom! FAEA is raffling off a Wacom MovinkPad 11 ($449.99 value) to help raise funds for our mission. Your participation helps us keep our dues low and our impact high.

Click here to purchase your raffle entries by 11:59 PM ET on Thursday, May 7. The drawing will be held on Friday, May 8, at 9:00 AM ET.

Offered by the Florida Art Education Association, Inc (FAEA) 402 Office Plaza, Tallahassee, FL 32301. One (1) prize will be awarded. The winning ticket will be selected at random using the RallyUp Online Raffle Platform. The winner need not be present to win. The prize will be awarded the week of May 8, 2026. The prize was donated to FAEA by Wacom, Inc. No purchase is necessary; for a free ticket coupon code, mail a self-addressed, postage-paid envelope with a letter requesting a raffle ticket to the FAEA office by April 30, 2026. The minimum suggested donation is $5 for this request. Information is available at faea.org. The prize will be shipped to the winner at no charge. 

FAEA Awards Nominations

If you know a colleague or an organization/institution that you think should be recognized for their service to the field of art education, consider submitting a nomination to the 2026 FAEA Awards program.

Nominations Due: June 1, 2026

To learn more about each award category, requirements, and nomination instructions, visit the FAEA website.

FAEA Member Virtual Exhibition

Attention member artists! The annual FAEA Member Virtual Exhibition (MVE) is now accepting artwork submissions for 2026. The MVE is a statewide, juried competition open to all FAEA members. Artworks accepted into the MVE are celebrated at the 2026 FAEA Conference and are eligible for awards sponsored by The Art of Education.

Submission Deadline: August 19, 2026

Learn more by visiting the FAEA website.