OAEA Awards
One of the most important programs OAEA offers is recognition of our members for their outstanding performance as art educators and service to the organization. These individuals, through their powerfully engaging work and tremendous impact they’ve had on their students, inspired colleagues and fellow OAEA members to nominate them for these awards. We also take the time to appreciate the generous contributions from our community that support our work with Ohio’s art students.

We celebrate the following honorees at our annual awards banquet and program at our state professional development conference. Congratulations to these shining examples of high quality art education in Ohio.

2023 OAEA Awards

Ohio Art Educator of the Year:
Beverly Finkel

​Division Level Awards:
  • Elementary –  Amy Jo Combs (SW)
  • Secondary - Jamie Schorsch (SW)
  • HigherEd –  Ketal Patel (C)
  • Emeritus - Cathy Sweny (W)           
  • Pre-Service - Caleb Hughes (NE)

Distinguished Educator for Art Education
(State Winner): 
Niki Sage  (W)
​
​Distinguished Citizen for Art Education
(State Winner):
Mayor Ben Stahler  (W)

​​Distinguished Business/Organization
for Art Education (State Winner):
King Arts Complex (C)

Doris Schnepf Outstanding Service Award
Diane Juravich (C)
​
​​OAEA Foundation Scholarship Winners: 
TBA
​​
​
Outstanding Art Teachers:
  •  Amy Neiwirth (C)
  •  Mandy Rubino (C)
  •  Stephen Tornero (E)
  •  Victoria Watkins (NC)
  •  Shari De Wever (NE)
  •  Josh MacMillan (NE)
  •  Dawn Luette (NE)
  •  Barbara Bergstrom (NW)
  •  Erin Clinton (NW)
  •  Julie Woodburn (SE)
  •  Ann Hobart (SW)
  •  Carolyn Althoff (SW)
  •  Jill Hartman (W)
  •  Patricia Brown (W)

Regional Service Awards
Distinguished Educator for Art Education
Michael Sontag (SW)
Caleb Wyse (NW)
Rob Zdankiewicz (NE)
Jeffrey Wells (SE)
Victoria "BZTAT" Boatwright (E)
Mike Grist (NC)
Maura Horgan (C)

Regional Service Awards
Distinguished Citizen for Art Education
Matt Temple (NW)
Nick Lee (NE)
Sarah Fisher (SE)
Jon Johnson (NC)​

​Regional Service Awards
Distinguished Business for Art Education
​Springfield Museum of Art (W)
Fitton Center (SW)
Continental American Legion 
Post 541 (NW)
Rural Action (SE)
Artfind Tile (E)
​

2022 OAEA Awards

Ohio Art Educator of the Year:
Juliann Dorff (NE)

​Division Level Awards:
  • Elementary –  Jackie Mahaffey (W)
  • Middle - Jennifer Applefeller (SE)
  • Secondary - Shannon Fish (SE)
  • HigherEd –  Sylvia Dick (SW)
  • Supervision/Policy/Administration –            Shari Densel (NW)
  • Pre-Service - Jennifer Marsh (SE) 

Distinguished Educator for Art Education
(State Winner):
  • Gerardo Gonzalez (W)
​
​Distinguished Citizen for Art Education
(State Winner):
  • John Schupp (NC)

​​Distinguished Business/Organization
for Art Education (State Winner):
  • TRANSIT ARTS (C)

​​OAEA Foundation Scholarship Winners: 
​TBA
​
Outstanding Art Teachers:
  • Elizabeth Kengeter-Bash (C)
  • Clay Kessler (C)
  • Dawn Blattel (E)
  • Erin Duffy (NC)
  • Maryann Rodin (NE)
  • Tammy Sparks (NE)
  • Lauryn Gintert (NE)
  • Lauren Hoenie (NW)
  • Crystal Anderson (NW)
  • Ashton Peck (SE)
  • Amy Jo Combs (SW)
  • Jamie Schorsch (SW)
  • Alexis (Gentry) Morgan (W)
  • Toni Adams (W)
Regional Service Awards
Distinguished Educator for Art Education
  • Chris Rincon (C)
  • Kay Hewetson (NC)
  • Holly Simms  (SW)

Regional Service Awards
Distinguished Citizen for Art Education
  • Jackie Calderone (C)
  • Art Bowen (NE)
  • Rick Fuchs (NW)
  • Pamela Kellough (SE)
  • Darren Goodman (SW)
  • Chiane Tedrow (W)

​Regional Service Awards
Distinguished Business for Art Education
  • Organization for Art Education: Taft Museum (SW)
  • Lincoln Community Center (W)
  • Ohio University School of Art and Design (SE)
  • Cuyahoga Valley Art Center (NE)

2021 OAEA Awards

Ohio Art Educator of the Year:
Carrie Barnett (SW)

​Advocate Award of Honor: 
Jarrod Hartzel (C)
Raymond Mueller (C)

Advocate Award of Merit:
Sarah Shumaker (E)
Matthew Berry (SE)

​Division Level Awards:
Elementary –  Jonathan Juravich (C)
Middle - Erin Kraly (NE)
Secondary - Christen Schneid (NE)
HigherEd – Dr. Rebecca Turk (C)
Emeritus – Judith Zimmerman (E)
Supervision/Policy/Administration – 
Museum - Erica Emerson (E)
Pre-Service - Carly Sherman (NE)

​Outstanding Art Teachers:
Robert Griffith (C)
Rachel Fout (C)
Christina Clumm (C)
Sara Andes (E)
Kelsey Felgner (NC)
Katie Kistler (NE)
Stephanie Timko (NE)
​Mary Elizabeth Norman (NE)
Sharon Wittler (NW)
Erin Johnson (NW)
Suzanne Oldham (SE)
Mollie Williams (SW)
Suzanne Ferree (SW)
Shelby Walters (W)
​Dr. Darden Bradshaw (W)
Distinguished Educator for Art Education
(State Winner):
Larry Ellis (NE)
​
Regional Distinguished Educators:
Edward Brown (C)
Alison Mayer (NC)
Sister Joella Ruffing (NW)
Tim Hoagland (SW)
Susan Gardner​ (E)

​Distinguished Citizen for Art Education
(State Winner):
Dr. Elizabeth Lokon (SW)
​
​Regional Distinguished Citizens:
Jen Roth (NE)
Lori Saffle (NW)
​Kerry Schlub (W)

​Distinguished Business/Organization
for Art Education (State Winner):
LoCo Art (W)

Regional Distinguished Business/Organization
​for Art Education:
Museum of Ceramics (E)
Maya Burrito Company (SE)

​​OAEA Foundation Scholarship Winners:
Nicholas Adduci, Youngstown State University
Katrina Shafor, Miami University

2020 OAEA Awards

Ohio Art Educator of the Year:
Alice Bordenkircher Tavani (W)

​Advocate with Honor: Coming Soon!
​
​Division Level Awards:
Elementary – Sarah Shumaker (E)
Middle - Kathleen Fuller (C)
HigherEd – Dr. Stephanie Danker (SW)
Emeritus – Barrie Archer (E)
Emeritus - Georgann Blair (NE)
Supervision/Policy/Administration – 
      Dr. Lillian Lewis (NE)
Museum - Samantha Gaier (SW)

​Outstanding Art Teachers:
Jason Blair (C)
Sharon Iseringhausen (C)
Bonnie Flynn (E)
Valerie Fraizer (NC)
Erin Kraly (NE)
Julie Krueger (NE)
​Trina Parrish (NE)
Lisa Girlie (NW)
Susan Kozal (NW)
Suzanne Rogers (SW)
Stacey Battoclette (SW)
Jacquelyn Sommer (SW)
Jackie Mahaffey (W)
Nicole Hawk (W)
Distinguished Educator:
Jennifer E. Lawless (NW)

Regional Distinguished Educators:
Coming Soon!

​Distinguished Citizen:
Janet Reichert (C)

​Regional Distinguished Citizens:
Coming Soon!

​Distinguished Organization for Art Education:
Columbus College of Art & Design (C)

​OAEA Foundation Scholarship Winners:
Lucy Osborne, Miami University
Carly Sherman, Kent State University

2019 OAEA Awards

Ohio Art Educator of the Year:
Susan Ruttle Lawrence (SW)

​Advocate with Honor:
​Jonathan Juravich (C)
​Stephanie Baer (SW)

​Division Level Awards:
Elementary – Abigail Hanser (SW)
Secondary – Craig Huffman (C)
PreService – Amelia Golec (NE)
HigherEd – Jason Cox (NW)
Emeritus – Dennis Cannon (C)
Supervision/Policy/Administration – Barbara Bergstrom

​Outstanding Art Teachers:
Juls Rathje (C)
Brittany Schwarck (C)
Sarah Shumaker (E)
Rosalyn Sheperd (NC)
Karen Schindler (NE)
Teela Kovas (NE)
Kathy Stalker-Bailey (NE)
Kristin Kowalski (NW)
Ani Geha (NW)
Brian Marks (SE)
Clay Kessler (SE)
Allison Heisel (SW)
Mary (Baumgartner) Sala (SW)
​Kristin Mitchell (W)

​OAEA Foundation Scholarship Winners:
Mackenzie Mettey
​Megan Carney
Distinguished Educator:
Stacy Tennenbaum (C)

Regional Distinguished Educators:
Dr. Michael Tefs (E)
Cindy Banjoff (NE)
Julie Pekkala (SE)
Sandra Staud (SW)
Joyce King (W)

​Distinguished Citizen:
Logan Oskey (W)

​Regional Distinguished Citizens:
Ron Pizzuti (C)
Jen Nicke (NC)
Bruce Keller (NE)
Mayor David Sheffler (SE)
Mary Overman (SW)

​2019 Distinguished Business Awards:
K12 Gallery Teja – State Level Award Winner – Western Region
Big Fun – Central Region
Ohio Ceramics – East Region
Sandusky Artisans – North Central Region
Morgan Conservatory – Northeast Region
Art: Space Lima – Northwest Region
The Bowen House – Southeast Region
Studio San Giuseppe – Southwest Region

2018 OAEA Awards

OAEA 2018 Awards

Ohio Art Educator of the Year
Linda Hoeptner Poling (NE)

Division Awards
Pre-Service/ Student - Morgan Bukovec (W)
Elementary - Mary Weimer Green (NE)
Middle/ Junior High - Jennifer Davis (C)
Secondary - Jennifer Thompson (NE) & Ann Teneyck (NW)
Higher Education - Susan Ruttle Lawrence (SW)
Emeritus - Julie Fisher (EC)
​
State Distinguished Service Awards
Distinguished Citizen - Marjorie Carleton (SW)
& Gracie Sidaris (W) 
Distinguished Educator - Cindy M. Foley (C)
Distinguished Business/ Organization -
​Kent State University, Stark - School of Art (EC)
 ​
Outstanding Art Teachers
Christen Schneid (NE)
Caryl Rae Church (NE)
Bonnie Kubilus (NE)
Erica Kenny (SW)
Melanie Greiner (SW)
Gayle Mulder (NW)
Noreen Overholt (NW)
Kathy Fuller (C)
Katie Hoeper (C)
Tiffany Scanlan (E)
Amy Eibel (EC)
Tracy Mathys (NC)
Jennifer Appelfeller (SE)
Jessica Evans (W)
Melanie J. Huffman (W)

2017 OAEA Awards

Ohio Art Educator of the Year
Randall Robart (EC)

Division Awards
Elementary - Kate Ungrund (SW)
Middle/ Junior High - Cheryl Mravec (NE)
Secondary - Christopher Bergert (EC)
Higher Education - Robin VandeZande (NE)
Emeritus - Janice Gallagher (EC)
Supervision/Admin - Beth Sheets (NW)

Service Awards
Distinguished Citizen - Richard Duarte Brown
Distinguished Educator - Dr. Isadore Rudnick (SW)
Distinguished Business/ Organization - Ohio Arts Council -- Donna Collins, Executive Director

Fellows Inductees
Juliann Dorff (NE) & Leslie Koelsch (NE)
Outstanding Art Teachers
Mindy Staley (C)
Gail Wilson (C)
Amy Hipple (C)
Terri Bradshaw (EC)
Wendy Marett (NC)
Cindy Naprestek (NE)
Jeanette Sulak (NE)
Sarah Curry (NE)
Ann Hymel (NW)
Matthew Bower (NW)
Shannon Fish (SE)
Jane Taylor (SW)
Karen Rellar (SW)
Julie Brewer (W)
Heather Wackler (W)

​Scholarship Winners
Dunya Abrahim, Case Western
Kaitlyn "Katie" Jacobs, Mount St. Joseph
​

2016 OAEA Awards

Ohio Art Educator of the Year
Sarah Danner Hebdo

Division Awards
Elementary - Mary Anne Donovan
Middle/ Junior High - Kate Brookshire
Secondary - Matt Young
Higher Education - Darden Bradshaw
Museum - Alison Caplan
Supervision/ Administration - Christine Gorbach
Retired - Julia Lindsey
​Pre-Service/ Student - Aaryn Combs

Advocate Award Winners
Randy Robart
Sharron Fish
Valerie Fraizer

State Distinguished Service Awards
Distinguished Citizen - Daniel Jackson
Distinguished Educator - Michael Ziegelhofer
Distinguished Business/ Organization - Hyde Park Square Business Association
Outstanding Art Teachers
Craig Huffman (C)
Erin Miller (C)
Christina Hickey (C)
Jennifer Young (E)
Chris Bergert (EC)
Tracy Van Buskirk (NC)
Carol Leikala (NE)
Jennifer Schulman (NE)
Julie Barcza (NE)
Jean Imes (NW)
Kelly Wells (NW)
Shaun Gentry (SE)
Janet Gorman (SW)
Marjorie Meiners Metz (SW)
Ben Davis (W)
Holly Johnson (W)

2015 OAEA Awards

Ohio Art Educator of the Year
Laura Tawil (NE)

Division Awards
Pre-Service/ Student - Cody Knepper (NE)
Elementary - Jan Wiesner (SW)
Middle/ Junior High - Megan Krieger Newton (W)
Secondary - Mark Wiesner (SW)
Higher Education - Juliann Dorff (NE)
Retired - Sharon Stout (C)

State Distinguished Service Awards
Distinguished Citizen - Sara Kass, Cliffside Artists  Collaborative, Hinkley, OH (NE)
Distinguished Educator - Nate Thompson,
Dir. Athens Photo Project, Athens, OH (SE)
Distinguished Business/ Organization -
​Buckeye Ceramic Supply, Hilliard, OH (C)
Outstanding Art Teachers
Roxanne Holonitch (C)
Matt Young (C)
Lori Taylor (E)
Rita Walbeck (EC - East Central)
Karen Rader (NC)
Dr. Linda Hoeptner-Poling (NE)
Sandra Phillips (NE)
Brian Krawetzke (NW) and Jennifer Bucher (NW)
Samantha Emler (SE)
Melissa Sand (SW)
Rita Shriver-Schehr (SW)
West - Lindsay Gustafson (W)

2014 OAEA Awards

2014 Ohio Art Educator of the Year
Marge Hilliard-Leberecht

​2014 Division Awards
Elementary Division - Sherry Middendorf-Fuller
Middle Level Division - Camilla McComb
Secondary Division - Carrie Barnett
Higher Education Division - David Guip
Supervision Division - Amelia Joynes
Retired Division - Kurt Reichert
Student Division - Derrick Bell

2014 State Service Awards
Distinguished Citizen - Hector Castellanos Lara
Distinguished Educator - Gay Welker
Distinguished Organization - Visionaries + Voices
2014 Outstanding Art Teachers
Jonathon Juravich (C)
Melanie Antram Ingraham (C)
Heather Beauchamp (E)
Michelle Rosette (EC - East Central)
Patience Lewis (NC)
Juliann Dorff (NE)
Marcie Lowell (NE)
Jacque Sperling (NW)
Tom Miller (SE)
Hilary Carvitti (SW)
Shelley Komrska (SW)
Joan Lucas (W)

 Scholarship Winners
 Katelyn Diemand-Yarmand, Case Western Reserve University
 Suzanne Surface, Mount Saint Joseph University

2013 OAEA Awards

Ohio Art Educator of the Year
Sandra Noble

Division Awards
Elementary Division - Nancy Vogel
Middle Level Division - Cathy Sweny
Secondary Division - Judith Charves
Higher Education Division - Judy Flamik
Supervision/Administration Division - Donna Collins
Museum Divisision - Jill Malusky
Retired Division - Sue Ayers
Student Division - Katherine McMonigle

State Service Awards
Distinguished Citizen - Doris Schnepf
Distinguished Educator - Cara Kellershmith
Distinguished Organization - Shur Tech Brands
Outstanding Art Teachers
Mandy Howard (C)
Terry Nelson (C)
Marion Stolz (E)
Julie Fisher (EC)
Jeanne Balukas (NE)
Dana Cerrito (NE)
Linda Wilson (NC)
Carrie Flagg (NW)
Gary Wells (NW)
Ellen Hadley (SE)
Adrian Vance (SW)
Patricia Young (SW)
​Sarajane Steinecker (W)  ​

2012 OAEA Awards

Ohio Art Educator of the Year
Monte Garrabrant

Division Awards
Elementary Division - Leslie Koelsch
Middle Level Division - Lindsay Gustafson
Secondary Division - Sara Green
Higher Education Division - James Sanders
Supervision/Administration Division - Gail Martino
Museum Division - Mary Beth Whitley
Retired Division - Lynda Berman
Student Division - Kiersten Smith

State Service Awards
Distinguished Citizen - Jeffery Chaddock
Distinguished Educator - Kathy McKinnis
Distinguished Organization - Passport Project
Outstanding Art Teachers
Yolanda Brown (C)
Dr. Camilla McComb (C)
Sandra Miller (EC)
Irene Maginniss Gilbert (NC)
Judy Flamick (NE)
Mel Rainey (NE)
David Wolff (NE)
Dawn Murphy (NW)
Lloyd Triggs (NW)
Lesley Ahern (SE)
Karen Lutz (SW)
Kate Ungrund (SW)
Bonita Taggart (W)

2011 OAEA Awards

Ohio Art Educator of the Year
Suzanne Mitolo

Division Awards
Secondary - Karrie King (NW)
Student Division - Erin McCourt 
​
Outstanding Art Teachers
Steven Lowe (E)
Carmone Macfarlane (NC)
Shari Densel (NW)
Eric Robertson (NW)