2022 MAEA Conference Recap & Resources

The 2022 MAEA Conference was held on Friday, October 21st and Saturday, October 22nd. It was formatted in a new way this year, with different hands-on, in-person events at venues around the state. Each event focused on art looking, making, and discussion. Attendees had the option to choose their events, regardless of the region they live or work in. They also had the opportunity to attend events on Friday, Saturday, or both days.

Region 1 Recap

Anjali Wells (MAEA ED & I Coordinator) described some of the sessions from Region 1, which included an alcohol ink workshop in Frederick and an event at Arts on the Block in Silver Spring. Participants in the Arts on the Block event learned about how community arts organizations support K-12 schools, and how to go about seeking out a partnership with an organization at their school. Attendees also participated in a mosaic workshop to complete the MAEA mosaic.

Photos from Region 2 Events

Region 3 Recap Marla Tolson (MAEA Representative for Region 3) organized a session at Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, a nonprofit arts organization focused on printmaking, papermaking, and book arts. A highlight of the conference for Marla was seeing a need being met: art teachers were given time to create.

“As teachers we often put our craft and skills to the side. We're busy developing projects for our students and neglect our need to art for ourselves. Art educators are better educators when we art.” - Marla Tolson

Virginia Bute-Riley (MAEA Secretary) also shared some information about the events from Region 3. Friday's session at Pyramid Atlantic sold out! Event attendees had a chance to participate in 2 out of 3 hands-on artmarking workshops, with a choice of papermaking, screenprinting, and block printing. Resident artists facilitated the hands-on sessions, and then participants ended the time with a whole-group reflection.

Saturday’s Region 3 event took place at Corinto Gallery. The day began with a tour of the space and an artist talk with Josue Martinez. Event attendees also participated in a hands-on session facilitated by Miriam Rust. After a presentation called, "The Sacred Circle--Neolithic Architecture and Beyond", participants built architectural models based on circular forms.

Photos from Region 4 Events

Reflections from conference attendees:

Among other aspects of the conference, Barbara Combs enjoyed learning new art methods with different materials, trying them out for herself, and the possibility of using them in the classroom. She also loved that she had a choice in the professional development location.

A highlight for Beth Dentes (MAEA Representative for Region 1) was networking with fellow teachers, making hands-on art, and having the conference in-person.

“I had a great time going to Baltimore. I used woodworking tools, screen printed, and also was able to play with pyrography.” - Jennifer Joy Fox

Looking ahead for future conference formats, several attendees stated their preference to continue a 2-day conference, in-person by region, with smaller venues. Below is information for the venues from this year’s events.

Art Collective

141A N Market St.

Frederick, MD 21701

Open Wednesday-Saturday, hours vary (call ahead)

240-739-9023

https://www.artcollectivefrederick.com/

Arts on the Block

900 Wayne Ave.

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Open 10 am - 4 pm Monday-Friday, 12 pm - 4pm Saturday

240-645-0730

https://www.artsontheblock.com/