FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SMITH NAMED MISSOURI ART EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., Feb. 22, 2002 – Dr. Edwin Smith, Southeast Missouri State University professor of art, has been named the Missouri Art Educator of the Year for 2002 by the Missouri Art Education Association (MAEA).

The award was presented on Feb. 9 at the MAEA Spring Conference in Kansas City, Mo. Smith was nominated by his former students who are now teaching art throughout the state and chosen as the award recipient by the Council of the MAEA for outstanding leadership and service to art education throughout the state of Missouri.

"I was surprised and touched by receiving this award," said Smith. "I also was proud that over 50 of our former students were in attendance when I was given the award."

Smith holds a bachelor of science in education from Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., a master in fine arts from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo., and a doctoral degree in visual arts education from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan.

In 1962, Smith entered the field of art education at the public schools in Lee Summit, Mo. Before coming to Southeast, he worked six years as director of art and professor of art education and architecture at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan.

Smith became a Southeast faculty member in 1973. During his 29 years at Southeast, Smith has established the High School Art Symposium, currently on display in the University Museum, and Art Faculty Exhibition. In its 24th year, the High School Art Symposium exhibits the best, recent artwork by promising young artists from area art schools. Started in 1975, the Art Faculty Exhibition displays pieces of work by Southeast's art faculty. In 1991, he began doing primary research on children's art. Smith has visited 26 counties on six continents using the research gathered to write a manuscript identifying the differences and similarities between children's art in different cultures.

Smith is a member of the National Art Educations Organization, United States Society of Education through Art, International Society of Education through Art, Sculpture International and the Missouri Art Education Association.