Lakehead U Education Professor Wins National Arts Award
(Thunder Bay - November 15, 2005) A Lakehead University Faculty of Education professor has won a Canadian Society for Education through Art (CSEA) award for excellence in art teaching and research.
Dr. Fiona Blaikie was presented with the CSEA Affiliate Award (Visual Arts) for Ontario at CSEA's annual conference in October. CSEA is a national group that aims to promote excellence in art education. Dr. Blaikie's nomination was evaluated on the following criteria: proven excellence in teaching and/or research; proven leadership in art education; significant contributions to art education; and upholding the mandate of the CSEA.
"The word 'through' in the name of our organization, the Canadian Society for Education through Art, is based on Herbert Read's idea of the importance of the arts in our lives as a conduit for all learning, as well as the powerful role of the arts in the transformation of human consciousness," says Dr. Blaikie. "I am honoured and humbled to have been selected to receive the CSEA award for Ontario."
"Fiona is both an amazing artist and outstanding educator, so it comes as no surprise that she was selected as the best recipient in Ontario for this award," says Dr. Julia O'Sullivan, Dean, Faculty of Education, Lakehead University. "Her students and her peers feel that she embodies the qualities of art education excellence, and it is reflected in this win."
While up to one educator from each province is eligible to receive this award, Dr. Blaikie was one of only three to receive the 2005 award. The other two winners were Dr. Bill Zuk from the University of Victoria for the BC Affiliate Award and Raffaella Montenmurro from Edmonton for the Alberta Affiliate Award.
The Canadian Society for Education through Art, a voluntary association founded in Quebec City in 1955, is the only Canadian national organization that brings together art educators, gallery educators, and others with similar interests and concerns. Membership represents all levels of education: elementary, secondary, college/university, ministries of education, art galleries/museums, and community education. For more information, visit www.csea.ca
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Media Contact: Marla Tomlinson, Office of Communications, 807-343-8177 or 807-472-9113.