The School of Art's art education program area in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences will host the first annual art education symposium, Grounded in Place, United in Practice: Reimagining Art Education through Collective Approaches, this Thursday, April 10, through Saturday, April 12, at the newly restored Fine Arts Center. This event is free and open to the public; those interested in attending are asked to register and can visit art.uark.edu for more information.

The symposium will open with a keynote by the esteemed artist and public scholar Gloria J. Wilson, an associate professor in the Department of Arts Administration, Education and Policy at The Ohio State University, and the founder of Racial Justice Studio. All are invited to attend a welcome reception from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, in the Fine Arts Center Lobby, followed by Wilson's lecture at 5:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center room 314.

"We are thrilled to welcome Gloria J. Wilson to the U of A campus and have her kick off our first annual art education symposium," said Paulina Camacho Valencia, interim art education program director and endowed assistant professor of art education. "This will set the tone for our time together and the days to follow that aim to foster meaningful conversations around collectivity, art education futurities, the social impact of our practices and creative ways of building and sustaining relations practices mediated through art."

Through a series of workshops, round table discussions and panels, attendees will explore the themes of place, relational practice and collective approaches and (re)imagination. The goal for this inaugural symposium is to create a dynamic space for artists, scholars, educators and community practitioners to exchange emerging ideas and engage in dialogue.

Friday, April 11, will feature a full day of inspiring presentations and workshops led by scholars and practitioners in art education and related fields. The sessions will take place at the Fine Arts Center, and lunch will be provided.

The final day, April 12, attendees and presenters are invited to a special visit to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. Museum entry, transportation, activity and lunch will be provided.

All are invited to this first annual symposium and to register and follow art.uark.edu for more information. Any questions about the event can be directed to Aelim Kim, art education fellow.