2022 UAEA Summer Board Retreat

On July 28th through the 30th, the Utah Art Education Association Board met in work sessions in the Marysvale Community Center. Topics covered include the annual budget, fall conference, and spring conference. Several board members joined virtually as their summer schedules didn’t allow for an in-person trip on that weekend.

Board members participated in planning, networking, and bonding at the Crown Pointe Lodge high in the mountains. Accessible only via a steep, rocky dirt road, several board members chose to leave their vehicles parked part way down the mountain at a designated parking spot and shuttled up with board members who owned four wheel drive or high clearance vehicles. The views were stunning, the air was cool and fragrant with mountain scents, and the company was lively.

Beyond meetings and planning sessions, we also had a couple of artmaking sessions in the evenings. The first one was led by Erinne Roundy (Region Rep and Advocacy) and was a sketchbook session geared towards celebrating diversity of thought and creativity. Everyone was given the same quote as an artistic prompt and time to create. Afterwards, we looked at all the different ways people chose to design and create in their sketchbooks using the quote as inspiration. The second artmaking session was led by Aleia Nay (UAEA President). She recently completed an apprenticeship at a fiber arts weaving studio, so she taught some loom and weaving skills.

Board members were also able to explore some of the surrounding community on their off hours. Most board members toured the weaving studio at Lizzie and Charlie’s Rag Rug Factory, some visited the Fremont Indian State Park and Museum, and others toured a mine (closed to the public, but made accessible through a local connection). Many were able to use off hours to create art on the wrap around deck of the lodge while enjoying beautiful vistas.

The summer board retreat is a unique mixture of volunteer work for UAEA, relaxation, and social networking with art educators from across the state.