More than 50 educators from the elementary, middle school, junior high and high school levels attended the 2026 Windgate Summer Art Launch for Arkansas Educators June 8-12 at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville.
Teachers from the schools at Atkins, Bentonville, Bergman, Bigelow, Booneville, Caddo Hills, Clarksville, Concord, Conway, Crossett, Danville, Dardanelle, Dover, Fordyce, Future School of Fort Smith, Genoa Central, Heber Springs, Highland, Horatio, LISA Academy Springdale, Little Rock, Marked Tree, Maumelle, Morrilton, Mulberry-Pleasant View, Oark, Ozark, Pottsville, Quitman, Russellville, Stuttgart, Subiaco Academy, Wonderview and Yellville-Summit participated in the workshops.
The art teachers received instruction in expressive figure drawing, Adobe Photoshop, tailoring and mending, up-cycled sculptures, quilting and weaving, printmaking and mixed media collage.
Dr. Lynnette Gilbert, ATU associate professor of art education, served as director for the 2026 Windgate Summer Art Launch for Arkansas Educators.
Instructors included Nikkila Carroll, sculpture and mixed-media artist; Ella Dover, art education student at ATU; Margo Duvall, associate professor of art at the University of the Ozarks; Jasmine Greer, professor of art at ATU; Ashley Kinsey, adjunct instructor of art at ATU and the University of the Ozarks; Edward Osei, professional artist and fashion designer; Candace Snow, art educator; and Sondra Strong, educator and visual artist.
The final day of the program featured a virtual lecture by guest speaker Dr. Mark Graham, professor of art education at Brigham Young University.
Program participants submitted their original works of art for inclusion in a virtual exhibit.
The professional development program, which was founded in 2018, is made possible through a grant from the Windgate Foundation. Participants earn up to 30 hours of professional development from the Arkansas Department of Education.
Learn more about the ATU Department of Art at www.atu.edu/humanities/art.
