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Hello FAEA Family,
I want to speak to both your head and your heart today.
Number one – Always bring your artistic self everywhere you go. Your creativity isn’t something you leave at your desk or in your studio. It’s part of the way you walk into a room, the way you see solutions, the way you brighten the ordinary. Bring that magic to your classroom, your community, and yes — to yourself.
Number two – Your art is not who you are. It’s what you have to say. Your worth doesn’t rise or fall with someone else’s understanding, appreciation, awards, or approval. If the world doesn’t get it? Keep making. If the applause is quiet? Keep speaking. Never let a lack of anything make you believe you’re not enough.
Number three – Speak to yourself the way you speak to your best friend. You wouldn’t tell your bestie they’re not talented enough, brave enough, or worthy enough to create. You’d cheer them on. Do the same for yourself. Golly gee, this is something I am constantly trying to remind myself.
As we wrap the whirlwind that is the start of the school year (and I’m handing out gold stars just for making it through!), I want to encourage you to put your art out into the world. The FAEA Member Virtual Art Exhibition is closed for submissions — a perfect, supportive space to share what you’ve been working on, but if you missed it, let’s try again next year. And in the meantime, don’t stop there: show in your local coffee shop, submit to your city’s art fair, hang your work in a community center. Let your students see you modeling the courage to share.
And… let’s start getting excited. Our State Conference returns to St. Petersburg for the second time, October 16–19 at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront. The hotel, the sunshine, the conversations, the creative recharge — it’s all waiting for you. Imagine yourself walking out of a workshop buzzing with ideas, running into old friends (and making new ones), and having those hallway moments that remind you why you love this work.
Between now and October, keep showing up for your art and for yourself. Whether your audience is one student, one gallery, or one fellow teacher over coffee — your voice matters.
Together we are STRONGER.
Warm regards,
Latonya Hicks
FAEA President
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