Editor's note - Editorial

Arts & Activities, Sept, 2002 by Maryellen Bridge

The start of the school year is naturally a time for new beginnings. This year, it is also a time to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Arts & Activities magazine. Over the years, our mission has been "... to serve responsibly the field of art education by publishing articles that are timely, philosophically and educationally sound and, most of all, applicable to the day-to-day business of making art experiences real and vital in the lives of students...." We continue to keep our eye on this goal.

With this in mind, we are honored that some of the finest names in art education continue to advise and contribute to Arts & Activities. And, this month, we welcome two new members to the Editorial Board.

Joining our group of Contributing Editors is Charl Anne Brew, a visual arts instructor at Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School in Arlington, Va. Mrs. Brew teaches Art I and Advanced Placement students, and instructs courses that include graphic design, drawing, painting, printmaking, photography and three-dimensional design. With a teaching career that spans 14 years, her experience ranges from special education to adjunct work at local colleges. Mrs. Brew is a working artist and continues her education in her field through classes and workshops. In her spare time she volunteers at preschools, creating visual arts workshops for young students. She has a particular interest in developing integrated cross-curriculum lessons with classroom teachers. Mrs. Brew has much to share from her experiences. She is a true asset to the magazine.

The newest member of our Advisory Board is someone who may be familiar to many of you: George Szekely, Senior Professor of Art Education at the University of Kentucky (UK) in Lexington. This particular title only scratches the surface of how involved Prof. Szekely is in the art-education community. Over the years he has authored seven books, and has been vice president of the National Art Education Association, an Advisory Board member of the International Child Art Foundation and a past president of the Kentucky Art Education Association (for whom he coordinated their state convention four times!). From his early days as an elementary and junior-high school art teacher in New York City, to his current position at UK, Prof. Szekely's experience spans such a wide spectrum, that we are truly blessed to have him aboard.

Due to the limited space in this column, it is impossible to list all of the accomplishments of Mrs. Brew and Prof. Szekely, but suffice it to say that we are thrilled and honored to have them join our editorial family!

To mark the occasion of our 70th anniversary, you may have noticed that we have freshened up the look of the magazine. Yes, they are subtle changes, but changes for the better, we feel. Our objective was to make the articles and information published in the magazine as readable and accessible as possible. Let us know how we did. Now, let's move on to the good stuff ... what you look to us for.... Please turn the page and you and your art students will soon benefit from our collection of "School-Year Starters" for new beginnings and so much more....

Maryellen Bridge, Editor in Chief