Arkansas Art Educators Past Award Recipients
AAE Awards
Art Educator of the Year
1978 Joe Scott, Arkadelphia
1979 Brenda Turner, Little Rock
1980 Jim Cook, Little Rock
1981 Elizabeth Mason, Searcy
1982 Beatrice Stebbing, Siloam Springs
1983 Charlott Jones, Jonesboro
1984 Sue Weller, Springdale
1985 Mary Ann Stafford, Pine Bluff
1986 Mary Botts Carr, DeWitt
1987 Rebecca Shopfner, Fort Smith
1988 Susan, Berkley, Fayetteville
1989 Dr. Barbara Teague, Russellville
1990 Cathy Porter, Little Rock
1991 Glynda McNair, Mountain Home
1992 Lynn Smith, Little Rock
1993 Betty Stark, Hot Springs
1994 Jerry Poole, Conway
1995 Brenda Turner, Little Rock
1996 Linda Strain, Star City
1997 Dr. Cathy Caldwell, Conway
1998 Elgenia Ross, Monticello
1999 Jill Davis, Little Rock
2000 Gail King, Little Rock
2001 Shirley Howard, Weiner
2002 Dr. Bonnie Black, Little Rock
2003 Amada Linn, Little Rock
2004 Mignon Hatton, Little Rock
2005 Dr. John Keller, Searcy
2006 Susan Purvis, Little Rock
2007 Peggy Bollman, Lamar
2008 Dr. Jeff Young, Conway
2009 Rhonda May, PCSS Distric
2010 Camille Landers
2011 Dr. Angela LaPorte
2012 Sue Anne McCoy
2013 Becky Thornton
2014 Nikki Kalcevic
2015 Don Williams
2016 Terri Taylor
2017 David Warren
2018 Charity McCartney
2019 Amber Lemser
2020 Jennifer Cates
2021 Stacey Glover
2022 Kelly Emerson
2023 Allison Harris
Elementary Art Educator of the Year
1985 Mary Bott Carr, DeWitt
1986 Maude Simmons, Little Rock
1987 Shirley Howard, Newport
1988 Lee Field, Little Rock
1989 Mary May, Blytheville
1990 Marla Sutton, Alma
1991 Linda Strain, Star City
1992 Brenda Sax, Ft. Smith
1993 Susan Purvis, Little Rock
1994 Stephanie Gean, Ft. Smith
1995 Margaret Alphin, Junction City
1996 Lee Field, Little Rock
1997 Nancy Wilson, McGhee
1998 Carol Dyson, Little Rock
1999 Sharon Boyd-Struthers, Little Rock
2000 Mignon Hatton, Little Rock
2001 Sandy Wheaton, Little Rock
2002 Pamma Henderson, Van Buren
2003 Karen Lawson, Little Rock
2004 Susan Purvis, Little Rock
2005 Chuck Sorrells, Hot Springs
2006 Earline Anderson, Ft. Smith
2007 Camilla Landers, Bauxite
2008 Sue Anne McCoy, Forrest City
2009 Cheryl Gilstrap
2010 Holley Dottley
2011 Patti Brigman
2012 Jennifer Cates
2013 Kathleen Leeper
2014 Abigail Richardson
2015 Amber Lemser
2016 Lisa Kraus
2017 Ashley Bryan
2018 Patricia McCauley
2019 Jeri Newberry
2020 Cheryl Moring
2021 Suzi Davis
2022 Julie Caple
2023 Deavon Smith-Collins
Middle Level Art Educator of the Year
1996 Sandra McClure, Alma
1997 Thomas Blackerby, Sheridan
1998 Rhonda May, Jacksonville
1999 Gina Booth, Jasper
2000 Suzanne Kunkel, Conway
2001 Lea Love, Mansfield
2002 Barbara Rhodes, Little Rock
2003 Katherine Karkkainen, Cabot
2004 Becky Thornton, Conway
2005 Neilann Brown, Little Rock
2006 Katherine Karkkainen, Cabot
2007 Charity McCartney, Fayetteville
2008 Stacey Glover, Fort Smith
2009 Francine Skotko
2010 Roxanne Wallace
2011 Andrea Woody
2012 Rebekah Avery
2013 Jodi Elsasser
2014 Lori Vallee
2015 James Kunzelmann
2016 Jessica Taverna
2017 Emily Powell-Carpenter
2018 Lisa Smith
2019 Jennifer Jacoby-Phillips
2023 Candace Snow
Secondary Art Educator of the Year
1985 Cathy Porter, Little Rock
1986 Betty Stark, Hot Springs
1987 Virginia McNair, Fayetteville
1988 Rosemary Carroll, Little Rock
1989 Lynn Smith, Little Rock
1990 Rosemary Carroll, Little Rock
1991 Becky Skeen, Ft. Smith
1992 Gail King, Little Rock
1993 Cliff Blasingame, Little Rock
1994 Elgenia Ross, Monticello
1995 Jill Davis, Little Rock
1996 Cheryl Blasdel, Yellville
1997 Peggy Whatley, Malvern
1998 Amanda Linn, Harmony Grove
1999 Lynda Lyon, Hot Springs
2000 Martha Conrad, Stuttgart
2001 Peggy Bollman, Lamar
2002 Becky Whitfield, Little Rock
2003 Debra Murray, Little Rock
2004 Melynda Coble, Cedarville
2005 Robert Clark, Little Rock
2006 Missy Fuller, Highland
2007 Terrie Menifee, Mountain Pine
2008 Gina Booth, Jasper
2009 Penny Bassham
2010 Rex Deloney
2011 Don Williams
2012 Dawn Graham
2013 Connie McCann
2014 Cheryl McMickle
2015 Joy Schultz
2016 LaDawna Dillman
2017 Roger Darren High
2019 Dewanna McIntosh
2021 Holley Bearden
2022 Carrie Hatton
2023 James Jumper
Higher Education Art Teacher of the Year
1987 Pat Larson, Conway
1991 Dr. Barbara Teague, Ashdown
1992 Dr. Cathy Caldwell, Conway
1993 Ron Reynolds, Russellville
1994 Joe Scott, Arkadelphia
1995 Bill Long, Beebe
1996 Dr. Bonnie Black, Little Rock
1997 Nancy Dunaway, Arkadelphia
1998 John Keller, Searcy
1999 Steven Ochs, Magnolia
2000 Dr. Bonnie Black, Little Rock
2001 Dr. Jeff Young, Conway
2002 Gayle Pendergrass, Jonesboro
2003 Nancy Dunaway, Arkadelphia
2004 Dr. Cathy Caldwell, Conway
2005 Dr. David Midkiff, Walnut Ridges
2006 Dr. Angela LaPorte, Fayetteville
2007 Dr. Deborah Kuster, Conway
2008 Dr. Bonnie Black, Little Rock
2009 David Warren
2010 Heidi Mullins
2011 David Warren
2015 Dr. Jeffrey Grubbs
2017 Susan Whiteland
2018 Tom Richard
2019 Dr. Angela LaPorte
2020 Dr. Jeff Young
2021 Dr. Injeong Yoon-Ramirez
2022 Dr. Susan Whiteland
2023 Andrea M. Tompkins
Retired Art Educator of the Year Award
2017 Nancy Abernathy
2018 Gina Booth
2019 Brenda Smyth
2023 Patricia Singh
Outstanding Administrator of the Year
1996 Bill Bardrick, Prin. Northside High School, Ft. Smith
1998 Dr. Benny Gooden, Sup. Fort Smith Public Schools
1999 Junious Babbs, Prin. Parkview Arts & Science Magnet H.S.
2000 Dr. Bobby New, Sup. Fayetteville Public Schools
2001 Dr. Pam Byrd, Prin. Christ the King Catholic High School
2002 Win Bruhl, Art Dept. Chair, U of A, Little Rock
2003 Rebecca Shannon, Prin. Westside Elementary School, Conway
2004 Jerry Whitmore, Prin. Bob Courtway Middle School, Conway
2004 Glennis Cook, Prin. Cederville High School
2005 Kathy House, Prin. Christ the King Catholic High School
2006 Janice McCoy, Prin. Oaklawn Visual & Performing Arts Magnet H.S.
2007 Dr. Linda Brown, Prin. Parkview Arts & Science Magnet H.S.
2008 Dr. Marsha Jones, Asst. Superintendent, Springdale School District
2009 Mike Skelton
2010 Lisa Sellers
2011 Michelle Hayward
2012 Terriann Phillips
2013 Dr. Dexter Booth
2013 Joye Hughes
2014 James Dobbins
2016 Osceola "Sunny" Hicks and Lee Vent
2017 Lindsey Bohler
2019 Jon Laffoon
2022 Tyger Sims
2023 Jordan Frizzell
Distinguished Service within the Profession
1992 Shirley Howard, Newport
1993 Becky Shopfner, Ft. Smith
1994 Gail King, Little Rock
1995 ZaAnna Dyer, Coal Hill
1996 Becky Skeen, Ft. Smith
1997 Mary May, Malvern
1998 Anne Schlack, Little Rock
1999 Carol Small, Hot Springs
2000 Betty Stark, Hot Springs
2001 Amanda Linn, Little Rock
2002 Patricia Singh, McGhee
2003 Ronda May, Little Rock
2004 Peggy Bollman, Lamar
2005 Rowdy Fortson, Harrisburg
2006 Karen, McManus, Bryant
2007 Jessica Peterson, Conway
2008 Jennifer Cates, Atkins
2009 Charity McCartney
2010 Rodney Bailey
2011 Niki Stewart
2012 Stacey Glover
2013 Allison Harris
2014 Cheryl Blasdel
2016 Brenda Smyth
2017 Lynn Smith
2018 Sue Anne McCoy
2019 Kelly Emerson
2020 Patricia McCauley
2023 Nancy Abernathy
Distinguished Service Outside of the Profession
1997 Arkansas Department of Education
1998 Crawford County Art Association
1999 Nilea Rohrer-Parvin
2000 Julie Northrip
2001 Pat Bond
2002 Dan Koops &Susan Barre
2003 Joyce Vaught &Scott Benson
2004 Paul Leopolous
2005 AETN
2007 Nancy Ward
2008 Ruth A Voss
2011 Dr. IJ Ronten, Elementary
2012 Waymond Teague
2013 Colin Thompson
2014 Kelli Randon
2015 Linda Warren
2016 Cathi Swan
2017 Niki Jones
2018 Melanie Landrum
2019 Dominic Centofante
2023 Blick Art Materials
Barbara Teague Leadership Award
2012 Charity McCartney
2013 Stacey Glover
2014 Jennifer Cates
2015 Sharon Boyd Struthers
2016 Gail King
2017 Ronda May
2018 Dr. Cathy Caldwell
2020 Sue Anne McCoy
2022 Cheryl McMickle
2023 Lynn Minyard Smith
Museum Art Educator of the Year
2019 Anne Kraybill
AAE Advocacy Award
2019 Jennifer Henley
2020 Charity McCartney
Higher Education Student Achievement Award
2009 Kerri Tindall
University of Central Arkansas, Conway
Student Chapter Sponsor of Excellence Award
2009 Dr. Deborah Kuster
University of Central Arkansas, Conway
Marion Quinn Dix Leadership Award
2011 Lynn Smith
NAEA Awards
Marion Quinn Dix Leadership Award
1992 Dr. Barbara Teague, Russellville
1999 Brenda Turner, ADE, Little Rock
2002 Dr. Cathy Caldwell, Conway
NAEA State/Province Association Newsletter Award
NAEA Higher Education Student Achievement Award
1995 Patricia Singh, UA Monticello
NAEA State/Province Association Newsletter Award
1994 Honorable Mention AAE News, Linda Strain, Editor
1996 Honorable Mention AAE News, Linda Strain, Editor
2007 Honorable Mention AAE News, David and Jennifer Cates, Editors
NAEA Division Regional Awards
Western Region Art Educator of the Year
1995 Brenda Turner, Little Rock
2002 Dr. Bonnie Black, Little Rock
Western Region Middle Level Art Educator of the Year
2006 Neilann Brown, Little Rock
Western Region Secondary Art Educator of the Year
2000 Lynda Lyon, Hot Springs
Western Region Higher Education Level Art Educator of the Year
1997 Dr. Bonnie Black, University of Arkansas, Little Rock
2002 Dr. Jeff Young, University of Central Arkansas
2005 Dr. Cathy Caldwell, Arkansas Tech University
Art Educator of the Year
1978 Joe Scott, Arkadelphia
1979 Brenda Turner, Little Rock
1980 Jim Cook, Little Rock
1981 Elizabeth Mason, Searcy
1982 Beatrice Stebbing, Siloam Springs
1983 Charlott Jones, Jonesboro
1984 Sue Weller, Springdale
1985 Mary Ann Stafford, Pine Bluff
1986 Mary Botts Carr, DeWitt
1987 Rebecca Shopfner, Fort Smith
1988 Susan, Berkley, Fayetteville
1989 Dr. Barbara Teague, Russellville
1990 Cathy Porter, Little Rock
1991 Glynda McNair, Mountain Home
1992 Lynn Smith, Little Rock
1993 Betty Stark, Hot Springs
1994 Jerry Poole, Conway
1995 Brenda Turner, Little Rock
1996 Linda Strain, Star City
1997 Dr. Cathy Caldwell, Conway
1998 Elgenia Ross, Monticello
1999 Jill Davis, Little Rock
2000 Gail King, Little Rock
2001 Shirley Howard, Weiner
2002 Dr. Bonnie Black, Little Rock
2003 Amada Linn, Little Rock
2004 Mignon Hatton, Little Rock
2005 Dr. John Keller, Searcy
2006 Susan Purvis, Little Rock
2007 Peggy Bollman, Lamar
2008 Dr. Jeff Young, Conway
2009 Rhonda May, PCSS Distric
2010 Camille Landers
2011 Dr. Angela LaPorte
2012 Sue Anne McCoy
2013 Becky Thornton
2014 Nikki Kalcevic
2015 Don Williams
2016 Terri Taylor
2017 David Warren
2018 Charity McCartney
2019 Amber Lemser
2020 Jennifer Cates
2021 Stacey Glover
2022 Kelly Emerson
2023 Allison Harris
Elementary Art Educator of the Year
1985 Mary Bott Carr, DeWitt
1986 Maude Simmons, Little Rock
1987 Shirley Howard, Newport
1988 Lee Field, Little Rock
1989 Mary May, Blytheville
1990 Marla Sutton, Alma
1991 Linda Strain, Star City
1992 Brenda Sax, Ft. Smith
1993 Susan Purvis, Little Rock
1994 Stephanie Gean, Ft. Smith
1995 Margaret Alphin, Junction City
1996 Lee Field, Little Rock
1997 Nancy Wilson, McGhee
1998 Carol Dyson, Little Rock
1999 Sharon Boyd-Struthers, Little Rock
2000 Mignon Hatton, Little Rock
2001 Sandy Wheaton, Little Rock
2002 Pamma Henderson, Van Buren
2003 Karen Lawson, Little Rock
2004 Susan Purvis, Little Rock
2005 Chuck Sorrells, Hot Springs
2006 Earline Anderson, Ft. Smith
2007 Camilla Landers, Bauxite
2008 Sue Anne McCoy, Forrest City
2009 Cheryl Gilstrap
2010 Holley Dottley
2011 Patti Brigman
2012 Jennifer Cates
2013 Kathleen Leeper
2014 Abigail Richardson
2015 Amber Lemser
2016 Lisa Kraus
2017 Ashley Bryan
2018 Patricia McCauley
2019 Jeri Newberry
2020 Cheryl Moring
2021 Suzi Davis
2022 Julie Caple
2023 Deavon Smith-Collins
Middle Level Art Educator of the Year
1996 Sandra McClure, Alma
1997 Thomas Blackerby, Sheridan
1998 Rhonda May, Jacksonville
1999 Gina Booth, Jasper
2000 Suzanne Kunkel, Conway
2001 Lea Love, Mansfield
2002 Barbara Rhodes, Little Rock
2003 Katherine Karkkainen, Cabot
2004 Becky Thornton, Conway
2005 Neilann Brown, Little Rock
2006 Katherine Karkkainen, Cabot
2007 Charity McCartney, Fayetteville
2008 Stacey Glover, Fort Smith
2009 Francine Skotko
2010 Roxanne Wallace
2011 Andrea Woody
2012 Rebekah Avery
2013 Jodi Elsasser
2014 Lori Vallee
2015 James Kunzelmann
2016 Jessica Taverna
2017 Emily Powell-Carpenter
2018 Lisa Smith
2019 Jennifer Jacoby-Phillips
2023 Candace Snow
Secondary Art Educator of the Year
1985 Cathy Porter, Little Rock
1986 Betty Stark, Hot Springs
1987 Virginia McNair, Fayetteville
1988 Rosemary Carroll, Little Rock
1989 Lynn Smith, Little Rock
1990 Rosemary Carroll, Little Rock
1991 Becky Skeen, Ft. Smith
1992 Gail King, Little Rock
1993 Cliff Blasingame, Little Rock
1994 Elgenia Ross, Monticello
1995 Jill Davis, Little Rock
1996 Cheryl Blasdel, Yellville
1997 Peggy Whatley, Malvern
1998 Amanda Linn, Harmony Grove
1999 Lynda Lyon, Hot Springs
2000 Martha Conrad, Stuttgart
2001 Peggy Bollman, Lamar
2002 Becky Whitfield, Little Rock
2003 Debra Murray, Little Rock
2004 Melynda Coble, Cedarville
2005 Robert Clark, Little Rock
2006 Missy Fuller, Highland
2007 Terrie Menifee, Mountain Pine
2008 Gina Booth, Jasper
2009 Penny Bassham
2010 Rex Deloney
2011 Don Williams
2012 Dawn Graham
2013 Connie McCann
2014 Cheryl McMickle
2015 Joy Schultz
2016 LaDawna Dillman
2017 Roger Darren High
2019 Dewanna McIntosh
2021 Holley Bearden
2022 Carrie Hatton
2023 James Jumper
Higher Education Art Teacher of the Year
1987 Pat Larson, Conway
1991 Dr. Barbara Teague, Ashdown
1992 Dr. Cathy Caldwell, Conway
1993 Ron Reynolds, Russellville
1994 Joe Scott, Arkadelphia
1995 Bill Long, Beebe
1996 Dr. Bonnie Black, Little Rock
1997 Nancy Dunaway, Arkadelphia
1998 John Keller, Searcy
1999 Steven Ochs, Magnolia
2000 Dr. Bonnie Black, Little Rock
2001 Dr. Jeff Young, Conway
2002 Gayle Pendergrass, Jonesboro
2003 Nancy Dunaway, Arkadelphia
2004 Dr. Cathy Caldwell, Conway
2005 Dr. David Midkiff, Walnut Ridges
2006 Dr. Angela LaPorte, Fayetteville
2007 Dr. Deborah Kuster, Conway
2008 Dr. Bonnie Black, Little Rock
2009 David Warren
2010 Heidi Mullins
2011 David Warren
2015 Dr. Jeffrey Grubbs
2017 Susan Whiteland
2018 Tom Richard
2019 Dr. Angela LaPorte
2020 Dr. Jeff Young
2021 Dr. Injeong Yoon-Ramirez
2022 Dr. Susan Whiteland
2023 Andrea M. Tompkins
Retired Art Educator of the Year Award
2017 Nancy Abernathy
2018 Gina Booth
2019 Brenda Smyth
2023 Patricia Singh
Outstanding Administrator of the Year
1996 Bill Bardrick, Prin. Northside High School, Ft. Smith
1998 Dr. Benny Gooden, Sup. Fort Smith Public Schools
1999 Junious Babbs, Prin. Parkview Arts & Science Magnet H.S.
2000 Dr. Bobby New, Sup. Fayetteville Public Schools
2001 Dr. Pam Byrd, Prin. Christ the King Catholic High School
2002 Win Bruhl, Art Dept. Chair, U of A, Little Rock
2003 Rebecca Shannon, Prin. Westside Elementary School, Conway
2004 Jerry Whitmore, Prin. Bob Courtway Middle School, Conway
2004 Glennis Cook, Prin. Cederville High School
2005 Kathy House, Prin. Christ the King Catholic High School
2006 Janice McCoy, Prin. Oaklawn Visual & Performing Arts Magnet H.S.
2007 Dr. Linda Brown, Prin. Parkview Arts & Science Magnet H.S.
2008 Dr. Marsha Jones, Asst. Superintendent, Springdale School District
2009 Mike Skelton
2010 Lisa Sellers
2011 Michelle Hayward
2012 Terriann Phillips
2013 Dr. Dexter Booth
2013 Joye Hughes
2014 James Dobbins
2016 Osceola "Sunny" Hicks and Lee Vent
2017 Lindsey Bohler
2019 Jon Laffoon
2022 Tyger Sims
2023 Jordan Frizzell
Distinguished Service within the Profession
1992 Shirley Howard, Newport
1993 Becky Shopfner, Ft. Smith
1994 Gail King, Little Rock
1995 ZaAnna Dyer, Coal Hill
1996 Becky Skeen, Ft. Smith
1997 Mary May, Malvern
1998 Anne Schlack, Little Rock
1999 Carol Small, Hot Springs
2000 Betty Stark, Hot Springs
2001 Amanda Linn, Little Rock
2002 Patricia Singh, McGhee
2003 Ronda May, Little Rock
2004 Peggy Bollman, Lamar
2005 Rowdy Fortson, Harrisburg
2006 Karen, McManus, Bryant
2007 Jessica Peterson, Conway
2008 Jennifer Cates, Atkins
2009 Charity McCartney
2010 Rodney Bailey
2011 Niki Stewart
2012 Stacey Glover
2013 Allison Harris
2014 Cheryl Blasdel
2016 Brenda Smyth
2017 Lynn Smith
2018 Sue Anne McCoy
2019 Kelly Emerson
2020 Patricia McCauley
2023 Nancy Abernathy
Distinguished Service Outside of the Profession
1997 Arkansas Department of Education
1998 Crawford County Art Association
1999 Nilea Rohrer-Parvin
2000 Julie Northrip
2001 Pat Bond
2002 Dan Koops &Susan Barre
2003 Joyce Vaught &Scott Benson
2004 Paul Leopolous
2005 AETN
2007 Nancy Ward
2008 Ruth A Voss
2011 Dr. IJ Ronten, Elementary
2012 Waymond Teague
2013 Colin Thompson
2014 Kelli Randon
2015 Linda Warren
2016 Cathi Swan
2017 Niki Jones
2018 Melanie Landrum
2019 Dominic Centofante
2023 Blick Art Materials
Barbara Teague Leadership Award
2012 Charity McCartney
2013 Stacey Glover
2014 Jennifer Cates
2015 Sharon Boyd Struthers
2016 Gail King
2017 Ronda May
2018 Dr. Cathy Caldwell
2020 Sue Anne McCoy
2022 Cheryl McMickle
2023 Lynn Minyard Smith
Museum Art Educator of the Year
2019 Anne Kraybill
AAE Advocacy Award
2019 Jennifer Henley
2020 Charity McCartney
Higher Education Student Achievement Award
2009 Kerri Tindall
University of Central Arkansas, Conway
Student Chapter Sponsor of Excellence Award
2009 Dr. Deborah Kuster
University of Central Arkansas, Conway
Marion Quinn Dix Leadership Award
2011 Lynn Smith
NAEA Awards
Marion Quinn Dix Leadership Award
1992 Dr. Barbara Teague, Russellville
1999 Brenda Turner, ADE, Little Rock
2002 Dr. Cathy Caldwell, Conway
NAEA State/Province Association Newsletter Award
NAEA Higher Education Student Achievement Award
1995 Patricia Singh, UA Monticello
NAEA State/Province Association Newsletter Award
1994 Honorable Mention AAE News, Linda Strain, Editor
1996 Honorable Mention AAE News, Linda Strain, Editor
2007 Honorable Mention AAE News, David and Jennifer Cates, Editors
NAEA Division Regional Awards
Western Region Art Educator of the Year
1995 Brenda Turner, Little Rock
2002 Dr. Bonnie Black, Little Rock
Western Region Middle Level Art Educator of the Year
2006 Neilann Brown, Little Rock
Western Region Secondary Art Educator of the Year
2000 Lynda Lyon, Hot Springs
Western Region Higher Education Level Art Educator of the Year
1997 Dr. Bonnie Black, University of Arkansas, Little Rock
2002 Dr. Jeff Young, University of Central Arkansas
2005 Dr. Cathy Caldwell, Arkansas Tech University