ABOUT US

Our 2025 WYAEA Board

A BRIEF HISTORY OUR ORIGINS

There is evidence that in 1979 there was a Wyoming Art Education Association but the history of that organization was lost. WyAEA as it is  now, originated  in 1999 when the board and membership of the Wyoming Secondary Art Educators (WSAE) decided to create a sister organization to be the state affiliate to the National Art Education Association (NAEA). WyAEA was held together by a wide variety of talented and dedicated art educators from across Wyoming for many years maintaining the connection to NAEA.

RECENT HISTORY

In 2013, Diana McDougal called together a meeting of the board, who had been mainly functioning in name only, to see if there was any interest in becoming a more active organization. It was decided the organization should pursue becoming more active, and the board worked hard to develop a vision, mission, and core values. As part of the strategic plan of WyAEA it was decided to provide a one day conference to members and anyone else interested in attending, to be held in conjunction with the Governor's Art Awards in early spring of 2014. The conference was held and it was a tangible start to a new era, an era of action. The organization has since expanded its conferences with an additional half day and continues to increase in membership.

WyAEA Board with former WyAEA President Abi 😉