The Florida State University Department of Art Education was once again well represented at the 2023 Florida Art Education Association Conference in Ponte Vedra Beach in October. Faculty, alumni and students gave presentations and participated in workshops centered around the theme “Art Colors Our World.”

Art Therapy alumna Dr. Laurie Hoppock (MS ’10) won the Supervisor/Administrator of the Year Award for her work in Duval County Public Schools. This award recognized individuals who contribute to the field through teaching, leadership, research, community and FAEA involvement, and development of an outstanding program.

Congratulations to our FSU participants on a successful week! Representatives from FSU included:

Faculty:

• Jeff Broome, Associate Professor and Director of Doctoral Program
• Rachel Fendler, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Director of Teacher Certification
• Amber Ward, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Director of Online Programming

Alumni:

• Maria Anselmo (BA Studio Art ’22, MS ’23)
• Debi Barrett-Hayes
• Jessica Barthle (BA Theatre ’17, MS ’18)
• Caiti Bauer (BA Studio Art ’17, MS ’17)
• Bonnie Bernau (BS Education ’73, MS ’93)
• Susannah Brown, Ph.D., (MS ’95, Ph.D. ’01)
• Tracy Canada (BS ’94)
• Nicole Crane, Ph.D. (MS ’99, Ph.D. ’06)
• Samantha Fast (BA Art History ’23)
• Latonya Hicks (BFA Studio Art ’01)
• Laurie Hoppock, Ph.D. (MS ’10)
• Katharyn Jones (BS Psychology ’07, MS ’10)
• Patricia Lamb (BS ’76, MS ’78)
• Brie Medina (MS ’20)
• Dr. Marilyn Proctor-Givens (BFA Studio Art ’86, BS ’86, MS ’88, Ph.D. ’01)
• Will Rowe (BFA Studio Art ’22, MS ’23)

Current Students:

• Hsin Fang, Ph.D. student
• Joanna Godfrey, Bachelor’s student
• Sena Karatas Ozturk, Ph.D. student
• Savannah Keys, Bachelor’s student
• Ko-Hui Lin, Master’s student
• Hsuan Chi Liu, Ph.D. student
• Allison Prater, Master’s student
• Kathleen Tracey, Master’s student

Two-time FSU Art Education alum Dr. Nicole Crane has been named the Florida Outstanding Art Educator of the Year for 2020 by the Florida Art Education Association (FAEA). On November 8, 2020, the Florida Art Education Association (FAEA) celebrated its 2020 award winners in a virtual ceremony.

The FAEA is a membership association dedicated to providing visual art educators in Florida with the knowledge, skills, and support that will ensure the highest quality instruction possible to all students in Florida .These awards recognize individuals within the membership who have achieved the highest level of professionalism in art education and show appreciation for individuals or organizations that have contributed their services in an exemplary way to the association and to shared professional goals.

“It is an honor to receive the Florida Outstanding Art Educator of the Year Award from the Florida Art Education Association,” said Dr. Crane. “The number of highly qualified art educators in the field from the Department of Art Education at Florida State University is remarkable and an indisputable contribution to education in Florida. I am proud to be a graduate of Florida State University and grateful for my education, experiences, and opportunities at FSU that lead to my success as an art educator. Go Noles!”

Dr. Nicole Crane received her BS in Photography before she went on to earn her Masters and PhD in Art Education from Florida State University. Today, Dr. Nicole Crane is an art teacher at Elbridge Gale Elementary School in Palm Beach County, with more than 20 years of experience in education.

This is not the first time the FAEA has honored Dr. Crane, as she was selected as the 2011 Florida Art Elementary Teacher of the Year.  She also served on the FAEA Board of Directors for eight years, including serving as President from 2016-2017.

In addition to her passion for art education, Crane’s blood pumps garnet and gold. She is a donor to the Department of Art Education – having supported student conference attendance – and actively serves the West Palm Beach Seminole Club. This past August, with her help, the West Palm Beach Seminole Club completed a fundraising campaign to endow a new scholarship fund for First Generation Students from the area to attend FSU.

Dr. Crane exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated and passionate art educator who continues to dedicate her life to educating students. Congratulations to Dr. Nicole Crane, the Florida Art Education Association’s Florida Outstanding Art Educator of the Year.

Update: Dr. Nicole Crane recently received the 2021 National Art Education Association Elementary Art Educator of the Year Award. (article forthcoming)