‘Cool to attend’: Conference in celebrates creatives

By BRYAN JIMENEZ 
The Tower 

A recent art conference took place in Minneapolis from April 4-6.  

Four days of nonstop art. It included the participation of teachers such as Robert Latona, Jiana Boudreaux and Angie Anaya. The show discussed different art topics like art history, contemporary art, and art education. It served as a gathering point for professionals, teachers, students, and fans to share ideas and display their artwork. Additionally, it provided a platform for educating others about the world of art. It provided a range of opportunities, including workshops and presentations.  

It allowed individuals to learn and collaborate with other members of the art community. These activities offered participants the opportunity to enhance their skills, further improving their artistic skills. 

Latona, a current teacher at Manteca High, has always been drawn to art since he was a young child. He began pursuing a career in art because of an injury he sustained in high school; his injuries confined him from doing sports, so he shifted his focus to art. Recently, he participated in the art show conference and expressed the importance of these shows. 

“All these art teachers from around the U.S, and they just teach us techniques to become better at art specifically,” he said. “Art is very different to teach than other subjects because its heavy in materials and context, so it was cool to attend these workshops.” 

Boudreaux joined in the art conference fun. Her inspiration to pursue teaching came from her cousin, a coach at Manteca High School. While she has always had an appreciation for art, the thought of becoming a teacher never crossed her mind.  She plans to attend all the art conferences and has already made plans to attend the upcoming one scheduled to take place in Louisville, Kentucky. 

“My favorite moment from the conference was when we were experiencing the keynote speakers and all these different people, all of whom were not only artists but also former or current teachers,” she said. “A lot of us teachers often assume that they set aside their passion to solely focus on teaching, but it was truly inspiring to witness them showcasing their passion for us.” 

Anaya, a fashion teacher at Manteca High School for 14 years and a former teacher at the Delta Collage for three years, never imagined herself as a teacher until a friend suggested it. She also attended the art conference. 

“I was really inspired by the art conference, it was fun seeing a keynote speaker for every day of the event, and learning from them daily was amazing,” Anaya said. “We got to see their own art, and their story.”