Critical Conversations About the Legacy of White Supremacy in Art Education

Steve Willis taught art in public schools for 23 years prior to joining the faculty at Missouri State University in Springfield, where he is Professor and Coordinator of undergraduate and graduate Art Education. His research interests are in indigenous knowledge, issues of equity, Native American practices, tribal cultural construction, issues of arts assessment, service learning, community engagement, and spirituality in art. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) examiner, he has traveled nationally to conduct Visual Arts examinations and has evaluated IB Extended Essays from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas. He is a member of the National Advisory Committee for the Praxis II Art Education Examination; has served as a consultant for various schools, school districts, and community arts organizations; has presented at national and international conferences; and has published in national and international journals and has served on the editorial boards. Steve is active in both the International Society for Education through Art (InSEA) as a Vice-President (2017–2019) and the United States Society for Education through Art (USSEA) as a National Consultant. He served as USSEA President (2013–2015). Steve graduated, with his PhD, from Florida State University. As a contemporary artist, he creates images concerning spirituality (www.stevewillis.org).

Allan Richards, a native of Jamaica, completed post graduate degrees in Mexico and the United States. He taught K-12, undergraduate and graduate students in art, mathematics, biology, and agricultural science before joining the faculty at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Richards has lived, worked, studied, completed research, taught, and visited 22 countries which continues to influence his research and teaching in Art Education. Funded by a grant from the Alzheimer’s Disease Center at the University of Kentucky, Richards and his colleague’s research focused on improving the quality of life for persons with dementia and their caregivers through learning in the visual arts. His research also focused on addressing issues of individuals who are deprived of social, political, and economic equality and justice. To build global consciousness and engender a more sustainable international community of fairness, justice, and peace, Allan Richards believes art education is fundamental and a powerful vehicle that engages students to foster and sustain human rights. Dr. Richards served as Assistant Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Illinois State University, Associate Dean of the Graduate School and Chair of the President’s Commission on Diversity both at the University of Kentucky. He is a member of the National Advisory Committee for Praxis II Art Education, Past President and currently Vice President of the United States Society for Education through Art (USSEA), a member of the International Society for Education through Art (InSEA), and Program Chair and Graduate Advisor for Art Education at the University of Kentucky.