More than 200 art teachers from across the city gathered for the 35th anniversary New York City Art Teachers Association Conference — Art Education: Empowering Creativity — on Oct. 24 at the HS of Art and Design in Manhattan to look, listen, learn and create. The participants had the choice of 29 workshops. “I chose my own professional development when I chose the Ready, Set, Engage workshop,” said Adam Peachy of the Bronx Writing Academy. A seven-time attendee, Peachy said the workshop provided “real tools to engage high-needs students.” Ursuzula Kubrak of PS 151 in Brooklyn said that the Arts Start workshop, led by art teacher Jason Holt of PS 36, focused on how to make the first seven minutes set the tone for the entire art period. That’s the kind of professional experience that “makes me love coming to the conference,” she said. The daylong event also provided creative and hands-on activities and honored outstanding teachers and administrators who contribute to arts education. Tim Rollins, a former special education teacher in the South Bronx who created the Kids of Survival group that exhibits worldwide, was the keynote speaker.

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