Tonika Lewis Johnson
at the West Salon

Friday, October, 23rd @ 1:00-2:00p

Kennadee Gabby, K-12 Art Educator - Century CUSD #100

Unboxing Creativity: Blind Boxes in the Middle School Art Room
From Labubus to Glitter Dumplings, blind box toys and collectibles are everywhere, and middle school students are obsessed! This hands-on workshop explores how contemporary toy culture can be transformed into an engaging middle school product design unit. 

Participants will experience part of a 3-week unit by sketching an original blind box character and developing packaging ideas inspired by real blind box designs. The full unit guides students through research, character development, themed series, chase character design, sculpture building, digital packaging design using Google Draw, and final assembly of a professional blind box product. 

The workshop will highlight scaffolded Google Draw practice worksheets, including modified versions to support all learners in building confidence with digital programs. Discover how free digital tools and contemporary visual culture can build creativity, problem-solving, and real-world design skills in the middle school art room.

Location: Schaumburg F
Capacity: 30 participants
Fee: $25.00
Audience Level: Middle / Jr High 6-8
Category: Design
Presenter Preview Link:  https://canva.link/zjd6rd3f7qenwg8

Cole Moore, MS Art Educator - Carterville Junior High School
with Alexis Hughes

Fun With Foam Clay
In this interactive workshop, we will share a practical and innovative look at how to use a fun and mess-free clay medium. Presenters will walk through successful projects and lesson plans for the elementary and middle school levels (could be easily adapted to high school!) Participants will have the opportunity to experiment with foam clay and keep a sample for themselves!

Location: Schaumburg G
Capacity: 30 participants
Fee: $25.00
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Studio Practice / Workshop

Lizzy Pankau, HS Art Teacher - Plainfield East High School
with Emily Tonon

Printmaking Without a Press
Explore how to bring printmaking into your classroom—no press required! 

In this hands-on session, participants will learn Gelli plate techniques, including creating your own stencils, photo transfers, organic textures, and experimenting with rainbow rolls and sgraffito. Attendees will rotate through studio stations for guided experimentation and contribute to a collaborative print, modeling a community-centered classroom experience. Educators will leave with 2–4 adaptable lesson ideas, practical setup strategies, and engaging approaches to make printmaking accessible and successful for students at any grade level.

Location: Knowledge
Capacity: 20 participants
Fee: $25.00
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Studio Practice / Workshop

Judith Doebler, Retired Art Educator
with Laura Milas, Mary Bortz, Anne Becker, and Becky Blaine

Small Portable Weavings: Create Art Anywhere
Discover the joy of weaving on a miniature scale! In this interactive workshop, you’ll design your own small, portable loom using unconventional materials—sticks, wire, found objects, paper, or other creative structures that may even become part of your final piece.

Learn basic weaving techniques and then break the rules—combine yarns, strings, wire, and natural materials to create a one-of-a-kind, tactile work of art that’s completely your own.

No experience needed.

Location: Schaumburg H
Capacity: 30 participants
Fee: $25.00
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Studio Practice / Workshop

Michael Albert, Professional Artist - American Pop Artist / Presenter

Modern Pop Art Experience
Meet the Artist, Short Presentation, hands On Cereal Box Collage Workshop & Free Poster Giveaway & Signing

Location: Innovation
Capacity: 20 participants
Fee: $25.00
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Cross-Curricular
Presenter Preview Link:  https://www.michaelalbert.com

Debra Cleary, HS Art Educator - Amboy High School, Amboy, IL

Creative Calm: Exploring Zentangles & Watercolor
Come to relax, unwind, and create in a calm space. Zentangle drawing can reduce stress,  anxiety, and improve cognitive function. Watercolor painting encourages mindfulness and allows us to let go. Attendees will experience the relaxing, mindful process of creating an original artwork using zentangle patterns and watercolors.

Location: Schaumburg F
Capacity: 30 participants
Fee: $25.00
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Studio Practice / Workshop

Kris Musto, Principal Admissions Outreach Liaison - Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) - MN

Story as Art: Cultivating Idea Development
Have some fun exploring stories, making quick images and generating fresh ways of teaching conceptual thinking! Play with approaches to help students to draw from their own experiences, opinions and ideas in order to develop more meaningful art.

Location: Schaumburg G
Capacity: 30 participants
Fee: $25.00
Audience Level: High School 9-12
Category: Studio Practice / Workshop
Presenter Preview Link:  https://www.mcad.edu/admissions-aid/undergraduate-admissions-and-aid/application-checklist/portfolio-tips

Choose Your Own Advocacy Adventure at the West Salon

Eryn Blaser, Middle School Art Educator, IAEA President Elect - Orland Junior High School
with Kerry Parrish and Josh Shearer

Make IAEA Yours
Kerry Parrish (IAEA President) and Eryn Blaser (IAEA President Elect) will lead an open discussion about IAEA organization. What do you want from IAEA? How can we better serve you? What skills and talents can you lend to improve art education in Illinois? What volunteer positions do we need leaders to fulfill? The expertise and leadership off our Illinois Art Educators drives this organization. Our mission is guided by the interests and passions of our membership and the people we serve. Come make your voice heard in this open discussion.

Eryn Blaser, Middle School Art Educator, IAEA President Elect - Orland Junior High School
with Josh Shearer

2025 IAEA Award Winner Showcase
The 2025 Award Winners will have the opportunity to share exemplary practices and share the wonderful things that have been happening in their classrooms. Please come celebrate the achievements of our award winners.
Honored Guests: Dr. Anne Becker, Theresa Fontana, Tammy Kordik, Gillian Teichman, Wendy Guss, and Dr. Kelly Gross

Michael Skura, Department Chair of Fine Arts, Advocacy Advisor & Past IAEA President - Oswego High School, Oswego, SD 308

Advocacy! So Many Platforms, IHSA, Seal of Fine Arts, HB 4334, and More!
Gain advocacy agency with initiatives like the following:

Pushing for IHSA & IEAE sanctioning of visual arts to achieve equity with activities like Poetry, Journalism, & Drama by becoming an official activity.

Participating in Seal of Fine Arts Excellence through ISBE.

Reaching out to your lawmakers about  HB 4334 and SB 4957 to reform high school graduation requirements and save arts education in Illinois.

Jerome Grand, Program Director - Illinois Arts Council

Illinois Arts Council: Grant Funding for Arts, Education, and Artists
Are you looking for grant funds to acquire supplies, equipment, or services to expand your students' arts learning opportunities? Or are you looking for grant funds to expand your practice as an artist? This session provides information on the Illinois Arts Council funding programs for schools and artists, an overview of the agency's initiatives, and additional resources available in Illinois.

Patricia Farrell-Levange, High School Art Teacher - Dwight Township High School

Schools of Distinction 101: FAQ
Do you know what Schools of Distinction is or have you been wanting to apply but don't know where to get started? Then this session is for you! We will talk about what Schools of Distinction is, show how you already do it, and how to get started! We will get you the head start on the application you need!
Presenter Preview Link:  https://ilaea.org/programs-events/awardsgrants/schoolsofdistinction/

Joanna Angelopoulos, MS Art Educator - Winston Campus Middle School--District 15, Palatine, IL

Creative Risk-Taking in the Art Room: Building Innovation Through Play, Process, and Possibility
Innovation in the art room begins when educators and students feel safe enough to experiment, fail, adapt, and try again. This interactive session explores how creative risk-taking, playful inquiry, and process-centered instruction can transform student engagement while revitalizing instructional practice for educators themselves.

Participants will engage in a series of fast-paced creative challenges designed to model how limitations, experimentation, iteration, and unexpected prompts can unlock deeper levels of imaginative thinking. Through collaborative reflection and studio-based experiences, educators will examine how instructional structures can either support or inhibit innovation in the classroom.

This session emphasizes that creative growth is not rooted in perfection or product-driven outcomes, but in environments that encourage curiosity, flexibility, reflection, and possibility. Educators will leave with practical strategies for cultivating innovative thinking and creative.

Location: Schaumburg A
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Classroom Management & Strategies

Luke Jenner, HS Art Teacher - JB Conant High School
with Ailysh Cooper

Fan Art in the Classroom
This session explores the value of fan art as a legitimate and powerful tool in contemporary art education. Award winning IAEA educators Ailysh Cooper and Luke Jenner will discuss how fan art can support student engagement, technical skill development, creative risk-taking, identity exploration, and artistic voice while also addressing common concerns surrounding originality and copyright.

Attendees will leave with classroom-ready project ideas, assessment strategies, exhibition approaches, and language for discussing fan art, remix culture, and transformative practice within their own programs.

Location: Schaumburg B
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Classroom Management & Strategies

Rachel Storm, Assistant Director of Community Engagement and Learning - Krannert Art Museum
with Grace Bae and Kamila Glowacki

Accessibility and Engagement in Art Museum Education: A Case Study
Using a multi-year museum-school collaboration with teen artists as a point of departure, this session offers ideas and strategies for cultivating engaged relationships with museums to support K-12 art education. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for collaborative curriculum development, creative in-museum learning experiences, and sustained teacher-museum educator relationship-building. Through real-life examples, discover how to pivot and share resources effectively, ensuring the vitality of art education even during periods of potential deprioritization. Join us to amplify the impact of museum partnerships in shaping vibrant educational experiences for our students.

Location: Schaumburg C
Audience Level: Museums
Category: EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion)

Kevin Shifley, High School Art Teacher - Mundelein High School

Can Teachers have favorite students?
Find out the answer and how having favorite students can result in evidence to share with your administrators for Domains 1 and 4. We will look talk about the shifts in the Danielson 2022  Framework and how we can leverage them to increase student engagement, participation and build community in our classrooms.

Location: Schaumburg D
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: SEL (Social Emotional Learning)

Maureen Connolly, Art Teacher - Digital Media Art Classes
with Katie Hyken

Hands on Practices in Digital Media Classrooms
This presentation explores how vertically aligned digital media curriculum can move students beyond passive screen-based production and toward authentic contemporary studio practice through culturally responsive teaching (CRT), collaborative inquiry, PLC collaboration, and hands-on material exploration. Participants will examine how digital media and traditional media educators collaboratively create interdisciplinary learning experiences that combine photography, digital design, alternative photographic processes, 3D printing, Cricut cutting, large-format printing, and mixed-media practices. The session highlights artist workshops, collaborative AP investigations, and choice-based, concept-driven learning structures that support experimentation, student agency, portfolio development, and authentic artistic engagement across Photography, AP Digital Art, and traditional studio art pathways.

Location: Schaumburg E
Audience Level: High School 9-12
Category: Media Arts

Choose Your Own Lesson Share Adventure at the West Salon

Patricia Farrell-Levange, High School Art Teacher - Dwight Township High School

Couponing in the Art Room
Are you a bargain shopper?  Do you get a thrill off of achieving a coupon deal at the check out?  If so, join other art teachers as we discuss how to get a deal for our art rooms!  Patricia will share her secrets of bargain hunting for art supplies, locating coupons at certain times of the year,  using that teacher discount to your advantage, and completing bids for art vendors to get the most bang for your school's buck.  Us art teachers are savvy shoppers and we will come together to share how we get art supplies at the low low cost of FREE!  This will not be lecture based, but more of a discussion where we can all come together to share ideas of free or discounted resources, exploring programs for discounted rates or subscriptions, and how to make impressive art on a minimal budget.
Presenter Preview Link:  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1DCc5DpjHfzAE4CLsqEO7zFCnmNLFSop708SM0_2fwTc/edit?usp=sharing

Kylea Perkins, Graduate Student - Illinois State University

Exploring Handicraft in the Classroom
Join us to learn about bringing more Craft into the classroom! Craftspeople from all over the world have been creating functional, decorative, and culturally significant objects as long as humans have been alive. From relief printmaking to quilting, metalsmithing to embroidery, bookmaking to mosaic, there are so many incredible artforms that are often left out of the classroom. Learn about the benefits of handicraft and explore lesson plans that bring more traditional craft into the classroom. Not only can we aid in the preservation of these techniques, we can introduce students to projects inspired by a wide range of cultures, allowing them to learn about and connect with diverse perspectives.

Jenny Raia, Elementary Art Teacher, D97 Department Chair - District 97 Oak Park
with Michaela Ruff, Kim Jones, Emily Tague, and Anna Carr

Community Connections: Collaborative Projects for Elementary
What happens when our young artists create together instead of side-by-side? This idea-packed session explores the power of collaboration in the elementary art room.  D97 Oak Park elementary art teachers will share tried and tested, imaginative, low-prep group projects that build creativity, teamwork, and a strong sense of  community. Attendees will leave inspired with a collection of ready-to-use ideas and fresh approaches to help their students connect, create, and thrive—together.

Theresa Fontana, MS Art Educator, MS PLN Coordinator, and Interest Groups Coordinator - Deer Path Middle School in Lake Forest, IL

Middle School Madness
Navigating the energetic world of middle school art requires lessons that are high interest, culturally relevant, and structurally foolproof. In this fast paced presentation, you will discover a curated lineup of successfully vetted projects designed specifically to engage and challenge middle school students. From innovative mixed media explorations to contemporary design challenges, we will break down the objectives, materials, and scaffolding techniques needed to hook your junior high artists.

The session wraps up with an interactive "best ideas" share out, where attendees are invited to voice their own middle school pleasing lessons and classroom wins. Walk away with a fresh toolkit of projects, management strategies, and a collaborative network of middle school inspiration to conquer the madness!
Presenter Preview Link:  https://www.theresafontana.com/

Aaron Cummins, HS Art Educator - District 155, Crystal Lake, IL
with Kerry Parrish and Kristen LaJeunesse Roach

Advanced Placement Teacher Roundtable: Addressing your AP Questions and Concerns
Do you have questions about  AP 2-D Art and Design, AP 3-D Art and Design, and AP Drawing? Do you want to connect with other AP colleagues from around the state? This A.P. roundtable will be led by 3 ap teachers who will look to listen to concerns and answer questions related to inquiry, writing, recording visual evidence, MPI, and revision. The goal of this roundtable is to listen to the needs of our high school AP teachers, answer questions you may have, and to share resources to help better all of our students. This roundtable discussion will allow you to ask questions and voice your opinions on the following topics.

AP Portfolios (AP 2-D Art and Design, AP 3-D Art and Design, and AP Drawing )

AP Art Teachers needs across the State

Organizing and sharing resources 

Assessment strategies

Jody Paulson, Professor - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
with Emma Watychowicz and Josh Shearer

Creating Community: One Piece of Chalk at a Time
Create community through the power of chalk. This session will examine how to expand the concept of  chalk art competition into a community building event. We will study the Chalkalypse, a chalk art competition at Southern Illnois University Carbondale, through the eyes of community institutions, pre-service teachers, and experienced art educators. We will look at the Chalkalypse's four-year growth cycle and the building blocks that have facilitated its growth. Stories focusing on community creation will be shared from participants at each level of the planning and implementation. Example registration packets and competition rubrics will be given to all attendees and a variety of chalk samples will be available for experimentation.

Location: Schaumburg A
Audience Level: High School 9-12
Category: Community
Presenter Preview Link:  https://conferenceservices.siu.edu/conferences/chalkalypse.php

Alicia York, Middle School Art Teacher - Glenn Westlake Middle School, Lombard, IL

Art for the self-contained classroom
Transform the special education experience for both the students and staff who take Art class. Don't throw away your color by number or dot art activities entirely, but reach for so much more!  Introduce Art history, focus on observational skills, practice a variety of motor skills by exploring wet and dry media, 2D and 3D art, and make learning fun with games, puzzles, and activities that everyone will enjoy. With 29 years of teaching under my belt, this was my 1st special education experience, art-on-a-cart , and my favorite class of the day. Come see what we created for the year, how I managed supplies, and take away some ideas that may work in any elementary or middle school classroom!

Location: Schaumburg B
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Classroom Management & Strategies

Izzi Buikus, MS Art Educator, Instructional Coach - Artfully Educate, Milwaukee, WI

Grant Me the Serenity: Sustainable Practices for Uncertain Times
This session explores sustainable practices that help educators support both themselves and their students during periods of uncertainty, stress, and rapid change. Using the framework of Control • Influence • Release, participants will examine practical strategies for reducing overwhelm, strengthening resilience, and creating classroom environments that promote wellbeing, connection, and growth. Rather than focusing on temporary self-care solutions, the session emphasizes sustainable habits and mindset shifts that help educators remain grounded, purposeful, and effective.

Location: Schaumburg C
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: SEL (Social Emotional Learning)
Presenter Preview Link:  https://www.artfullyeducate.com

Randy Sweitzer, Teacher : High School - Grayslake North High School, D127
with Kelly Bott

Make Your Year-End Art Show an Interactive Community Art Event
Presenters will share successful strategies and activities to turn an ordinary end-of-year art show into an interactive Art Event. See how empowering students to develop pop-up shops and activities provides opportunities for ownership and interaction with families, staff, and the educational community. Consider how   promoting your visual art program to future students and families through collaborative projects with sender schools and relationships with their teachers can impact enrollment in your classes and clubs. Pick-up tips for connecting with and highlighting your creative alums, established local art leagues, and independent artists to model the life-long benefits of art education. You will be able to demonstrate to your administration the power of art as a means to relationship and community building, both in and out of the school. Participants are encouraged to brainstorm, expand on these ideas, and share their own successful and challenging experiences.

Location: Schaumburg D
Audience Level: High School 9-12
Category: Community
Presenter Preview Link:  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1PMPqaRcCVm2WWTAKqXzQRYchfOSkVmDzAiW5IPcgFwk/edit?usp=sharing

Amanda Borchert, MS Art Teacher - Old Quarry Middle School, District 133A, Lemont, IL

Keep Your Fire Alive!
Let’s be honest, teaching art is amazing, but it can also be a lot! Some days you feel inspired, and other days you’re just trying to get through the kiln firing, the behavior issues, and the 10th “Is this good?” of the class period!

This session is a chance to slow down for a minute and reconnect with why you became an art teacher in the first place. I’ll share real, simple ways to hook your students and make lessons more engaging, but we’ll also talk about the bigger picture… giving yourself grace, letting go of perfection, and focusing on what actually matters in your classroom.

There will be time to reflect, laugh a little, and try out a few easy, fun ideas you can use right away, things that make your day better and your students’ day better.

You’ll walk away with some lesson ideas, a few incentive strategies, and hopefully feeling a little more like yourself again, the teacher who loves what they do, even on the hard days.

Location: Schaumburg E
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Classroom Management & Strategies
Presenter Preview Link:  https://www.instagram.com/oqartstudio/

Gillian Teichman, High School Teacher : IAEA preservice coordinator - Lake Zurich High School
with Kristen LaJeunesse Roach

Theres a Hack for That! Steal like an Art Teacher
Art, Design and Media Arts education thrives on exchanging ideas and creativity, doesn’t it? It's time to steal like an art teacher during this Art Hack share session. This roundtable-style discussion, structured around a shared Padlet, aims to assist educators from all grade levels by creating a space to exchange valuable tips, tricks, and techniques. From classroom management to supply ordering and even cleanup hacks, we aim to compile a comprehensive collection of art education hacks to help everyone and anyone. You will walk away from this session with an ongoing collaborative resource that enhances classroom efficiency and strengthens your community and support network among fellow educators.

Join us and become part of a dynamic exchange of innovative ideas that will enrich your teaching practice and inspire your students. Let’s steal like artists and make art education more vibrant and effective.

Location: Schaumburg A
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Classroom Management & Strategies
Presenter Preview Link:  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1lDGGe94CV2P_wGHBGQ1mx_vyOnM2-IkjVrUdl9VyD7I/edit?usp=sharing

Luke Jenner, HS Art Educator - JB Conant High School
with Erin Garrity-Duffey

From Copying to Caring: Student Voice & Artistic Integrity
Students today have access to endless inspiration, references, tutorials, trends, and AI-generated imagery—yet many still struggle to feel personally connected to the work they create. How do we move students beyond compliance, shortcuts, and surface-level completion toward genuine creative investment?

This presentation revisits and refreshes the presenters’ ongoing “Copy-Inspire-Transform” framework as a model for developing artistic integrity, intrinsic motivation, and authentic student voice. Rather than treating copying and AI solely as problems to manage, this session explores how imitation, recreation, remixing, and transformation can become pathways toward ownership and meaningful expression.

Participants will leave with practical ideas for fostering classroom cultures where students care more deeply about their work and understand why their creative voice matters.

Location: Schaumburg B
Audience Level: High School 9-12
Category: Classroom Management & Strategies

Kryssi Staikidis, Professor of Art Education - Northern Illinois University
with Dr. Kelly Gross

How to Go From Conference Presentation to Publication: Writing Up Artistic Connections Between Pre-Service Art Educators’ Studio Practice and Lesson Planning
This presentation will provide easy steps to write a manuscript for publication for a teaching  journal such as NAEA's Journal of Art Education.  Key issues and concepts connected to our IAEA 2025 conference presentation on teachers' studio practice and middle school art lessons will provide the content for a manuscript submission based on social justice curriculum content, disability studies, and technology at the middle level. The objectives of the presentation will be to understand and articulate   the connections between one’s own artmaking and themes that emerge in pre-service teaching as a means to write a publication. Autoethnography and personal narrative as writing tools  will be examined.  The session will enable emerging art educators  to learn how to write for publication.

Location: Schaumburg C
Audience Level: First-Year Teachers
Category: Cross-Curricular

Merry Lanker, Middle School Art Educator - Stephen Decatur Middle School, District 61, Decatur, IL

Missing From the Curriculum: African American Art History
Explore historically overlooked African American artists like Horace Pippin, Aaron Douglas, Edmonia Lewis, Laura Wheeler Waring, and their respected contemporaries. Learn more about the semester long African American Art History course taught at Stephen Decatur Middle School and how students create art, keep journals, do independent research, and present their knowledge through creative projects. Curriculum units, lesson plans, artist lists and other resources will be shared with attendees.

Location: Schaumburg D
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion)

Caryn Arriaga, Elementary Art Educator - Freedom Elementary School, PSD 202, Plainfield, IL

Paper Mache in the Elementary Art Room
Explore the magical world of papier-mache! Papier mache is a sculpture technique using paper and adhesive to create lightweight, durable sculptures that students love. The possibilities are endless with this medium. This session will focus on elementary-aged projects, but can certainly be adapted for older grades. Walk out with complete project lesson plans, an affordable materials list, and inspiration!

Location: Schaumburg E
Audience Level: Intermediate 3-5
Category: Studio Practice / Workshop

Lunch Buffet and Regional Meetings
at the West Salon

12:00 & 12:30 Regional VP Presentation with Regional Reps
Erin Lynch - Northeast
Melissa Farley - Central
Irene Thraen-Borowski - Northwest
Alexis Hughes - South

Tonika Lewis Johnson
at the West Salon

Friday, October, 23rd @ 1:00-2:00p

Theresa Fontana, MS Art Educator, MS Coordinator, & Special Groups Coordinator - Deer Path Middle School Lake Forest, IL

Mixed Media Inspired by Mario Mena
Bring the vibrant energy of street art into your classroom! In this hands on studio workshop, participants will explore the bold, graphic, and culturally rich style of Chicago based street artist Mario Mena. We will dive into his signature use of layered textures, vivid color palettes, and symbolic storytelling. Educators will learn how to adapt street art techniques for the classroom using accessible classroom materials. You will walk away with a completed mixed media masterpiece, a customizable lesson plan, and fresh strategies to engage students in contemporary, community inspired public art dialogue. You will also walk away with advocacy tools to do a mural in your own school or community. Bring your creativity and prepare to get your hands messy!

Location: Schaumburg F
Capacity: 30 participants
Fee: $25.00
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Studio Practice / Workshop
Presenter Preview Link:  https://www.theresafontana.com/

Julie Davis, BLICK Art Materials - Galesburg, IL - Senior Educational Developer

Embroidery Embellished Portraits
Embroidery is one of the oldest forms of textile art, dating back thousands of years and across continents. Today, embroidery is experiencing a strong resurgence stemming from a desire for digital disconnection and for relaxing, meditative, repetitive creative practices. 

Perfect for introducing embroidery techniques, this Blick Art Materials workshop focuses on adorning a monochrome graphite portrait with pops of color and imaginative embroidered embellishments. 

A stitch guide will be provided to participants, and embroidered elements can be as simple or elaborate as needed to match the artist's skill level and achieve the intended effect.

Location: Schaumburg G
Capacity: 30 participants
Fee: $25.00
Audience Level: Middle / Jr High 6-8
Category: Studio Practice / Workshop
Presenter Preview Link:  https://www.dickblick.com/lesson-plans/embroidery-embellished-portraits/

Lena Jansma, HS Art Educator - Warren Township High School, Gurnee, IL
with Randy Craig

Texture Junkies: silkscreens, slabs and stamps
Print it, press it, stamp it, build it!

Get ready for a fast-paced, hands-on ceramics workshop packed with creative techniques and practical classroom ideas! “Texture Junkies” invites art educators to explore silkscreen printing on clay, stamping methods, slab construction, and press molds while discovering clever shortcuts and studio-saving tips along the way. Participants will leave inspired with engaging processes, adaptable lessons, and texture-rich ideas that can easily translate to a variety of grade levels and classroom settings. Whether you’re looking to refresh your ceramics curriculum or add new energy to your studio practice, this playful session is full of creative possibilities.

Location: Innovation
Capacity: 20 participants
Fee: $25.00
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Studio Practice / Workshop

Natasha Lewis, Professional Artist - Esther's Place

Little Felted Monsters
Join Natasha Lehrer Lewis, of Esther's Place, in a choice-based, creativity led workshop featuring 3D needle felting! Learn many skills and techniques for using armature, sculpting and more while making a little monster. Perfect for middle and high school art, these crazy creatures offer a wide range of options and ideas to make it a wonderful introduction to fiber art in your classroom.

Location: Schaumburg H
Capacity: 30 participants
Fee: $25.00
Audience Level: Middle / Jr High 6-8
Category: Studio Practice / Workshop
Presenter Preview Link:  https://www.esthersplacefibers.com/

Elizabeth Farnesi, MS Art Educator - Wilkins Jr. High, Justice, IL
with Jennifer Wargin

Honestly, how are YOU doing? Take 2!
Hey you…We are back again for round 2! Do you remember your “Why”? Why did you choose to be an art educator? Let’s face it, there is so much involved in this job! The lesson planning, materials, organization, matting, labeling, differentiating, being inspirational and motivating, and don’t get us started on the constant need to advocate for your art program. Well, it can be a lot! It’s time to revitalize our creative energy, cultivate some habits that build resilience, and take time to create. During this workshop combining mindfulness, reflection, and artmaking inspired by the El Duende process, you’ll develop a personalized process piece that offers both inspiring and practical takeaways for immediate and sustained use for you and your classroom. Let’s pause, reflect, and create together!

Location: Knowledge
Capacity: 20 participants
Fee: $25.00
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Studio Practice / Workshop

Laura Milas, Clinical Professor - Illinois State University
with Mary Bortz

Make and Talk for Early Prof & Distinguished Members
Make and Talk - Mandala Bookmark

All pre-service and early professionals are welcome to meet with colleagues and Distinguished Members as we create a mandala bookmark.  As we work, we will tackle classroom, curriculum and kid issues in a judgement free environment.   The mandala is a great project for an art club or odd school day.

Location: Schaumburg F
Capacity: 30 participants
Fee: $25.00
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Studio Practice / Workshop

Gillian Teichman, High School Teacher : IAEA preservice coordinator - Lake Zurich High School

Adobe Express? Say less

Looking to find a way to dip your toe into incorporating digital art? Or maybe looking for new platforms to explore? Discover how Adobe Express can bring simple, engaging digital art and design into your curriculum. 

This hands-on workshop will showcase classroom-tested lessons ranging from first-day activities to summative assessments. Participants can expect to leave with new ways and lessons to take home as well as participate in a follow along workshop where you will leave with your own personalized animated digital collage! 

Requirements: Bring a laptop or device and either sign up for a free Adobe Express trial or log in with your district Adobe account.

Location: Inspiration
Capacity: 10 participants
Fee: $25.00
Audience Level: High School 9-12
Category: Media Arts

Michael Jon Skura, Department Chair Fine Arts, Advocacy Advisor for IAEA, & Past IAEA President - Oswego High School
with Daniel Whipple and Aaron Kolkay

Grow Your AP Art & Design Program to 50+
Are you poised to transform your AP Art & Design Program (including Drawing, 2D Art & Design, and 3D Art & Design) into a thriving hub for over fifty plus talented students? It's time to cultivate a dynamic culture where future artists are eager to enroll and fully prepared for the rigors of the course. We will show you how to craft impactful invitation letters that attract aspiring creatives and encourage students to write compelling one-page essays that express their dedication to art and their excitement for joining this exceptional program. By harnessing the power of art competitions, you can elevate both the quality and quantity of student work while ensuring a legacy of artistic excellence that distinguishes your program. Together, let's create an environment where creativity flourishes and students confidently pursue their artistic passions!

Location: Schaumburg A
Audience Level: High School 9-12
Category: AP (Advanced Placement)

Gillian Teichman, IAEA Preservice Coordinator and High School Teacher - Lake Zurich High School

Starting a New School: Preservice Advice
Starting a new job is daunting—you don’t know what you don’t know. As someone who has started at four new schools in the last three years, I’ve become very familiar with the anxiety-filled thoughts and worries that come with the unknown.

This session is designed for preservice teachers preparing to begin student teaching or start their first job. My goal is to give an honest, uncensored look at the who, what, when, where, and why of entering the profession. I’ll also share how I got hired, interview tips that actually helped me, and answer the questions you can’t really ask during a job interview—like, “Can I wear leggings?”

The session will also include a roundtable-style Q&A where attendees can openly ask questions, seek advice, and discuss the realities of starting a career in education.

Location: Schaumburg B
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Classroom Management & Strategies

Heidi O'Hanley, Elementary Art Educator - Frank A. Brodnicki Elementary, Justice, IL

How Artsonia Can Benefit Your Classroom
Artsonia is the world's largest collection of student art, published by teachers and students from around the world. With Artsonia, teachers can utilize the site to create a portfolio of student artworks to measure growth over time, communicate with families, and promote the arts within the community! In this presentation, we will discover ways Artsonia can help improve your curriculum, time management with documenting artworks, communicating with families, assisting students with reflecting on their created artworks, and assessing student artwork.

Location: Schaumburg C
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Advocacy
Presenter Preview Link:  http://www.artsonia.com

Laura Hetrick, Professor - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Reimagining the Art Room: Centering Neurodiversity in Creative Learning
Learn inclusive, strengths-based strategies to support neurodivergent students in the art classroom. This session, led by an autistic art education professor, introduces art educators to key concepts in neurodiversity and their implications for classroom practice. Participants will examine how differences in sensory processing, communication, and executive functioning can shape students’ experiences in the art room. Drawing on research and classroom examples, the session highlights ways to reduce barriers and support varied approaches to making and learning. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of neurodiversity and practical ideas for creating more inclusive, flexible art environments that better support all learners.

Location: Schaumburg D
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion)
Presenter Preview Link:  https://

Jason Meltzer, Media Arts Teacher & Instructional Technology Coach - Oak Grove School District #68, Green Oaks, IL

GIF It Up: Creative Projects and the Tools to Build Them
No matter how you say it, Animated GIFs have been simple to make for years, and today there are more creation methods than ever. In a media arts classroom, GIFs are powerful tools for visual storytelling, motion design exercises, and quick prototypes of animation ideas. Students can use them to illustrate an abstract concept, build looping narratives, or develop playful mnemonics that combine image and motion.

As the media arts teacher, you can add GIFs to presentations, lesson materials, and digital portfolios to demonstrate timing, rhythm, and visual sequencing. GIFs work especially well for short “how‑to” demos  and as an accessible entry point to filmmaking techniques like stop‑motion, and frame-by-frame animations.

By the end of this session you’ll have hands‑on examples and lesson ideas to get started making GIFs with students — from quick classroom prompts to multi‑stage animation projects — opening pathways to experimentation, storytelling, and deeper study of motion design.

Location: Schaumburg E
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Media Arts

Alicia Kopec, Visual Arts Content Specialist and IAEA EDI Liaison - Chicago Public Schools, Department of Arts Education

Elevating Underrepresented Arts Educators: Empowering Voices & Diversifying Perspectives
Underrepresented arts educators face unique challenges in the profession. This session aims to amplify unrepresented arts educators’ voices and increase participants’ understanding of how all arts educators can help foster an inclusive educational ecosystem. Underrepresented professionals will share personal experiences and insights to reveal practical approaches participants might take to support underrepresented educators in their professional journeys. Topics of discussion will include the impact of systemic barriers and the importance of mentorship and allyship in building a supportive arts education community. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by underrepresented arts educators and strategies to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in their schools and communities.

Hosted by the IAEA EDI Committee

Location: Schaumburg A
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion)

Joanna Angelopoulos, MS Art Educator - Winston Campus Middle School, District 15, Palatine, IL

Beyond the Prompt: Reimagining Creative Instruction Through AI and Innovative Planning
Art educators are constantly generating ideas, designing experiences, and adapting instruction to meet the needs of students. But what happens when lesson planning becomes repetitive or creatively exhausting? This interactive session explores how AI can serve as a brainstorming partner that helps educators reimagine instructional design, student engagement, and creative learning experiences. Through live demonstrations, collaborative planning activities, and reflective discussion, participants will see how simple lesson concepts can evolve into rich, inquiry-based opportunities using AI-supported  ideation. Educators will explore ways to generate engaging hooks, thematic connections, reflection prompts, differentiation strategies, and innovative learning experiences while maintaining their essential role as the creative architect of the classroom. Rather than replacing teacher creativity, AI becomes a catalyst for fresh thinking, deeper innovation, and more imaginative teaching.

Location: Schaumburg B
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Classroom Management & Strategies
Presenter Preview Link:  https://www.instagram.com/smockroom_art/

Edd Magierski, Art Teacher - Oak Forest High School
with Rich Stachon and Todd Leban

Creative Anarchy: Cultivating Collaboration through Zine-Making
Traditional team-building often relies on rigid frameworks that can stifle genuine innovation. To build true adaptability and collaborative empathy, we can look to the community-driven, DIY culture of zines.

This session focuses on the studio based application of a fast-paced, tactile "pass-and-build" layout challenge to strip away perfectionism, encourage creative risk-taking, and build mutual trust for your students. By asking them to work under tight time constraints with analog materials, you can teach them to practice letting go of individual ownership, adapt to unexpected project shifts, and build collectively on a shared vision.

"Punk belongs to the people who are in the room. It’s about creating a space where everyone has a voice and everyone contributes."  - Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat / Fugazi)

DIY or Die

Location: Schaumburg C
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Studio Practice / Workshop

Jennifer Fitzpatrick, Elementary Art Educator - Southern Illinois

Creative Cashflow & Classroom Insights: The Power of  Art Club
Funding Your Vision: Building a Self-Sustaining Art Club Through Entrepreneurship and Action Research

Tired of hearing "there's no money in the budget"? Learn how one elementary art program generates approximately $5,000 annually through a student-centered art club that not only funds high-quality supplies but also serves as a laboratory for innovative teaching practices. Let's pulls back the curtain on every aspect of creating and sustaining a successful after-school art club. Participants will learn to manage budgets, communicate with families, and find opportunities for social change and action research. Program has been running for 11 years in a high-poverty school district and we have nice things .

Location: Schaumburg D
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Advocacy

Michelle Martinez, HS Digital Art Educator - Solorio Academy High School, Chicago Public Schools

Digital Art Power Tools: Integrating Technology into Creative Curricula
This presentation demonstrates how to integrate Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Screencastify into visual arts curricula by prioritizing early tool fluency. By sequencing technical instruction before student-driven projects, educators can build the digital literacy necessary for learners to take full ownership of their creative process.

Attendees will walk away with practical strategies to foster student agency and support authentic expression through a structured, skill-first approach.

Location: Schaumburg E
Audience Level: High School 9-12
Category: Media Arts
Presenter Preview Link:  https://mmartinezgallery.com/

Jenny Raia, Art Teacher, Art Department Chair - District 97 Oak Park
with Kim Jones and Michaela Ruff

Open Invitation for Collaboration: Hosting Visiting Artists and Artists in Residence
Looking for inspiration and new ways of thinking about making and living art? This session will explore different ways to recruit, collaborate and even fund community artist visits and student workshops. Oak Park Elementary Art Teachers share their experiences with hosting guest artists in person, virtually and in collaboration with students. Walk away ready to invite fresh artistic voices into your art room!

Location: Schaumburg A
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Community

Albert Stabler, Associate Professor - Illinois State University

Ableism, Abolition, and Assessment
My purpose is to argue that art classes not only permit but demand open frameworks for assessment, with attention both to the role of ableism in traditional skill-building art projects and the role of abolition in relation to schooling as a eugenic colonial institution. I will give background on my own experience teaching in racially enclosed city schools, and make connections to my own understanding of disability justice. I will present a number of ways in which I have changed my approach to assessment over my teaching career, both as a high school art teacher and in higher education. By starting from my own experience, as a student as well as a teacher, I will be sure to authentically articulate the points of my argument without adopting a deficit-based approach to assessment that would denigrate and devalue the artwork of disabled and otherwise minoritized students and artists.

Location: Schaumburg B
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion)

Tim Jones, Elementary Art Educator - Whittier El / Riley Int, Northlake, IL - B87, Berkeley, IL

Stop Searching, Start Teaching: Using Google Sites to Streamline Your Art Classroom
Managing lessons, resources, and student supports can quickly become overwhelming. This session explores how Google Sites can serve as a centralized hub to organize and streamline your art curriculum in a clear, accessible way for teachers, students, parents, and administrators.

Participants will explore a real classroom website structure, including how to organize units, embed resources, share exemplars, and provide directions that support student independence. Practical strategies will focus on building a site that is easy to maintain and adaptable across grade levels.

Walk away with a clear framework for creating a digital home for your art program.

Location: Schaumburg C
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Classroom Management & Strategies
Presenter Preview Link:  https://sites.google.com/berkeley87.org/art-with-mr-jones/home?pli=1

Kathleen Tieri Ton, HS Art Educator - Batavia High School, Batavia, IL District 101

What Next? Supporting Art & Media Students Exploration of Careers in the Arts
What role do art educators play in supporting students’ next steps in the arts? How can we help students navigate college and career decisions in a field that is often misunderstood?

In this interactive session, I will share resources, strategies, and experiences from my work with students through both my classes and Future Creative Professionals, a student organization focused on arts pathways and careers. Grounded in principles of equity and community, this work centers on expanding access to information, opportunities, and networks that help students envision a wide range of futures in the arts. Participants will engage in mini-moments of making and reflection designed to inspire connections to their own educational and professional journeys.

Location: Schaumburg D
Audience Level: Middle / Jr High 6-8
Category: Advocacy
Presenter Preview Link:  https://www.instagram.com/bhs101_creative/

Lindsey Moss, Elementary Art Educator - Yorkville CUSD 115, Yorkville Illinois

Be the Light: Transforming Your School Community Through a Night of Art-Based Service
Feeling adrift,  like something is missing in your professional practice? Find and make authentic meaning for you and your students with service learning! "Be the Light" is a massive annual event that merges art-making, service, and community engagement into one high-impact evening of volunteering. This session provides the practical, replicable blueprint to plan and execute this school-wide tradition from the ground up.

Location: Schaumburg E
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Advocacy

The evening will include the Artisan Market, cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, the IAEA Awards Ceremony, grant awards, a streaming presentation of the Member Show, and an awards reception with dessert.

Event Schedule

4:00–8:00 p.m. — Artisan Market
5:00–6:00 p.m. — Cocktail Hour with hors d’oeuvres
6:00–7:30 p.m. — Awards Ceremony, Grant Awards, and Member Show Streaming
7:30 p.m.–Close — Awards Reception with dessert

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