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Lanell
Finneran, 2001 Kansas Educator of the Year |
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Lanell Finneran is recognized for her outstanding contributions through her years as an |
| educator, integrating all the arts, especially visual art and drama, into the learning experience. She was especially commended for mentoring future teachers and creative arts therapists, and for her recent drama workshops for children and adolescents. | |
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the past two years, she has been Artist-in-Residence, responsible
for "Let It Show" drama workshops for 9-13 year olds, a
part of the Van Go Mobile Arts program for children and adolescents
at risk in Lawrence. She encouraged her students to participate in
this as well as in other art fairs and community events. Frequently,
the teacher takes her students to such events. She also encourages
her students to apply for work through Van Go JAMS ("Jobs in
the Arts Make Sense") which inspires students to grow artistically.
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| Sally
Bailey, Assistant Professor of Drama Therapy Department at Kansas
State nominated the teacher, saying, " I can not think of anyone
who has worked as tirelessly for children and adolescents in our state
as Lanell Finneran, nor can I think of anyone who has integrated the
arts (drama, art, music, movement, and poetry) more completely and
consistently into everything she does for and with others." Finneran
was also nominated by two Kansas State graduate students, Nadya Trytan,
and Angela Martin. |
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Bob
Ault, 2001 Kansas |
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| Bob Ault was previously honored in 1985, as Educator of the Year in Arts and Disabilities for, among other things, his work |
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| in art therapy at the Menninger Clinic, for being instrumental in forming the American Art Therapy Association, and organizing the Kansas Art Therapy Association. When he recognized that the University of Kansas was far from starting an art therapy program, he created and directed a Master of Science in Art Therapy program at Emporia State University. | |
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year, Ault is honored for his continuing contributions since retirement.
At Ault's Academy for Art in Topeka, he provides instruction to approximately
50 students weekly. Through this work, Bob has developed new, innovative
techniques, individualized for people who are working through mental
issues. He is also being recognized for outstanding work on behalf
of individuals with disabilities through therapeutic arts programming.
Until recently, Ault also did eight hours of weekly art therapy at
the Veterans Administration Hospital in Topeka, where he developed
an arts program that includes a very successful family night. |
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| Recently
Bob was working with a patient who was very depressed. After a long
career as an educator, the patient learned that all previous work
left with the employer had just been put through a shredder! It was
as if all those years and experience were for naught. Bob encouraged
the patient to collect photographs; they were also put through a shredder.
The patient then carefully wove the pieces back together into an acrylic
weaving that became a beautiful work of art. Since then, Bob has adapted
this technique to other patients with different circumstances and
in his own art. |
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| One
of his most poignant stories is of a patient who had been a photographer
in the Marine Corps. After being shot down, he made it to a foxhole
where he held a wounded buddy. When they were finally rescued, they
found that the soldier he was holding had already died. From the rescuing
helicopter, another photographer snapped a picture of the Marine holding
his buddy. The Marine carried that picture in his billfold for 20
years. In the creative arts clinic, he did a painting from the photograph.
When completed, a viewer realized he had left out an important part.
The missing part was a teardrop running down his cheek. For the first
time, the patient was able to connect with the pain of the experience
and then begin the healing. Ault continues to exhibit his art several
times a year and continues involvement in and presentations for numerous
conferences. |
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