EXAMINING HIS WORK, Dr. John Keller, chairman ofthe art departmen\ critiques one of his paintings feb. 14. Keller was named M Educator ofthe Year by the Arkansas Art Educators this year. ,A. BEENE LEADERSHIP - 148 RECEIVES RECOGNITION n the walls of the spacious yet c1 uttered office of Dr. John Keller, chairman of the art and design department, were pajntings, portraits and photographs - evidence of a man's passion for art. For Keller, these mediums were more than something to admire, they were pieces of cultural heritage. "There is a saying, which I am paraphrasing, 'We remember a civilization more by its culture than by its politics,'" Keller said. This year, Keller's teaching abilities were recognized when the Arkansas Art Educators, an affiliate of the National Art Education Association, named him Art Educator for the 2004-2005 school year. Keller's wife, Sally, said she could not think of a more well-deserved award. "He is always giving presentations at art conferences," she said. "He really enjoys giving presentations - anything he can do to help other art teachers to learn more and . become better teachers." Keller, who became the art department chairman in 1999, said what he appreciated most about the award was another opportunity to speak to other art teachers. "It was nice." he said. "It gave me three minutes to er.::ourage 300 art teachers in Arkansas to keep teaching art. Because if they don't teach about their cultural history, no one will." Keller said understanding art was a key to preserving culture. "A culture has never existed after it lost its heritage," he said. "Our heritage is so strong. Keeping our cu1tural heritage as Americans helps maintain our country." Teaching students about their heritage was what Keller had done for more than 30 years. Keller, who was born in Alliance, Neb., and grew up in OshKosh, Neb., said that in his small town, no fonna! art education was available, but his artistic potential was recognized by a few encouraging mentors. "Art was absolutely out of my life except for my parents and Mrs. Robinson," Keller said. "In fourth grade, Mrs. Robinson always taught art along with the other subjects.She musthave noticed that I had an aptitude for art, se she encouraged me by posting my artwork in class. It really made a difference with who I was." Keller said his father sold a cow so Keller could enroll in an art instruction school correspondence course. During high school, one of Keller's English teachers, Mrs. Jenson, gave him a small closet in the school to use as his art studio. In 1967 Keller graduated from high school and went to York College, where he met Sally. The two were married July 11, 1970, and both transferred to Harding University so Keller could receive more art education. Harding was where Keller met another great influence, Don Robinson, former chairman of the art department. "I was in a lot of [Robinson'sl classes, and he got me interested in print making." Keller said. "I did very well in the class, and eventually my ability to make good prints was what later got me a job at Harding." After graduating from Harding in 1971, Keller taught for six years in Henderson, Neb. Keller said he wanted to give students the chance to learn about art, an opportunity he did not have a young age. Keller taught at Harding from 19751984, when he took a break from teaching to go to graduate school. After finishing a doctorate, Keller returned to teaching at Harding in 1988. -MEGHAN MICHAElSON
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