Celebrating a Legacy

Nancy Walkup, Editor-in-Chief, 2005–2024

The SchoolArts staff wants to celebrate Nancy Walkupʼs twenty-year legacy as editor-in-chief in the best way possible—with a surprise feature in SchoolArts! Nancy, we cannot thank you enough for your dedication to the magazine, to art education, and to art teachers everywhere.

Recently, we asked authors and educators to share their thoughts about the impact you have made on their careers. Hereʼs what they said:

Eldon Katter, former editor-in-chief of SchoolArts, 1994–2005
Twenty years ago, when asked if I thought Nancy Walkup would be able to handle the demanding, multitasking job of SchoolArts editor, I answered, “Yes, without a doubt. She will be good at the job.” Well, I was wrong! Nancy was more than a good editor. She became a really, really, really great editor—an editor-in-chief who remains loyal to SchoolArts and Davis Publications after: (1) twenty years of making hard choices with easy touches, (2) two hundred months of respectfully meeting publication deadlines, (3) two decades of highlighting best practices and paradigm shifts, and (4) seven thousand days of mastering the art of attention to detail, while at the same time focusing on the big picture. Well done, Nancy. Congratulations, and thanks for teaching me how to do the Cajun Two-Step.

Frank Juárez, current editor-in-chief of SchoolArts
I remember being invited by Nancy to a Davis Publication reception at the 2016 National Art Education Association Convention in Chicago, Illinois. It was at this social event that I was invited to become a contributing editor for SchoolArts. She saw something in me that ultimately impacted my desire to continue writing and to become an advocate for SchoolArts. Nancy brings out the best in art educators!

Rama Hughes, SchoolArts author
What subject could you discuss forever without getting bored? Before I met Nancy Walkup, no one could listen to me talk about art education without their eyes glazing over. Lucky for me…

I met Nancy in 2011 at the NAEA Convention in Seattle. After our introduction, she invited me to a breakfast. I didnʼt go. Nancy eyed me suspiciously the next time I saw her. “You said you would be there. But don’t feel bad.” She stuck a sticker on my badge and introduced me to her colleagues at Davis.

Nancy knows now how eagerly I shy from social functions. And I now know her talent for drawing people out, for celebrating us, and for connecting us with one other. In that gentle tug of war, she won. She introduced me to dozens of teachers, writers, artists, and publishers whom I now consider friends. Those friendships are founded on our shared passion for art education and on our shared fondness for Nancy.

After I presented at NAEA this year with Frank Juárez and James Rees, Nancy said that she felt like a “proud mama.” She deserves that pride. She nurtured me and countless others from isolation to camaraderie. I mark the day I met Nancy as the day when I stopped feeling alone as an art teacher. I cannot thank her enough.

Melody Weintraub, SchoolArts author
I first began writing for SchoolArts back in 2011. Since that time, I have been published over thirty times in the magazine, and Nancy has become one of my dearest friends. I am grateful for Nancy’s guidance, professionalism, kindness, and how she has always made me feel a significant part of the SchoolArts family.

Nancy’s interest in my lessons not only inspired me to write more, but it also inspired me to teach lessons worth writing about. Nancy encouraged me to make my articles practical so that teachers could easily implement them. She also encouraged me to take lots of good photos of the process in my classroom. I now have a treasure trove of photos of student work that I continue to use for my articles.

I treasure so many conversations, adventures, co-presentations at NAEA, dinners, and museum tours that I have shared with Nancy, and I look forward to the new adventures that lie ahead. As Nancy turns a new page on her career, I am quite sure that she will continue to inspire art educators around the world and make a positive impact on the future of arts education.

Leigh Drake, SchoolArts author
Nancy has been such a shining light for art education. I thank her for allowing me the opportunity to showcase my students’ work and the lessons we created. I have always enjoyed getting to see her at national conferences and being with the SchoolArts family. Thank you, Nancy, for everything you have done for me, my students, and the art education community. You will be greatly missed. Enjoy your retirement!

Nicole Brisco, SchoolArts author
Nancy, I cherish your mentorship and that you saw potential in me, not just in the classroom but as a writer. Your leadership in TAEA, NAEA, and with Davis Publications motivates me to be a better art educator and shows me that there is still so much more to come after I leave the classroom. You are one of a kind, and I strive to make a profound difference in others as you have with me. Thank you for being you and walking this journey with me.

Craig Roland, SchoolArts author
I have so many fond memories of working with you, Nancy, on various arts education projects over the years, it’s hard for me to choose just one. But one memory that does stand out is the time we attended the installation of One Million Bones on the National Mall in the summer of 2013. This large-scale social arts project involved thousands of artists, teachers, students, and community participants from around the globe in hands-on art making and education to raise awareness of atrocities going on around the world. I am grateful to have shared moments like this with you over the years.

Jane B. Montero, SchoolArts author
I am forever grateful for the support, encouragement, and wisdom Nancy has shown toward me. Getting to know her more than solely as the editor of SchoolArts has been an absolute joy. I will always carry her positive words with me as I continue to write articles for publication. After my first article was published in SchoolArts, Nancy said to me, “Keep sending me articles and I will keep publishing them!” And she has remained true to her word. Her praise of my writing was a gigantic boost of confidence and opened the “writing” door for me. So, thank you, Nancy Walkup! You have made my career more satisfying than ever imagined.

Kasmira Mohanty, SchoolArts author
In 2017, I submitted my first article to SchoolArts Magazine. I did so “knowing” my article wouldn’t be selected for publication and gradually forgot about entertaining the idea that I was a writer in any capacity. Much to my astonishment, I received my first article contract shortly after my first submission. I discovered in that moment that I had been confining myself to a limited definition of who I was and what I was capable of. Under Nancy’s thoughtful guidance and encouragement, I’ve written fourteen articles to date, became the 2021 Media Arts Intensive host, and was a guest on K12ArtChat the podcast. She has been an extraordinary mentor and advocate from day one. She has given me and countless others the tools and confidence to reach beyond perceived boundaries to help touch the lives of numerous educators and students alike.

Nancy embodies a spirit of nurturing and care that permeated every aspect of her position as editor-in-chief. She not only shaped the magazine but also, through her editorship, fostered a community where creativity flourished and where every voice was valued. Her approach was not just about publishing articles: it was about championing the importance of art in education and ensuring that educators had the resources and support they needed to inspire their students. Nancy’s legacy is not only in the pages of SchoolArts but in the hearts of those she influenced, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of arts education.

Pam Stephens, Professor of Art Education, Emerita
Nancy’s unwavering advocacy for art education spans decades. Having collaborated with Nancy on a wide variety of publications, conference talks, travel for teachers, and professional development opportunities, I know firsthand of her dedication to the importance of teaching in and through the visual arts. As a result of her dedication, Nancy has been recognized with more accolades than I can count. These awards and honors, along with her work as editor-in-chief of SchoolArts, will serve as Nancy’s lasting legacy in the field of art education. Best wishes to Nancy as she begins a well-deserved retirement.

Rachel Wintemberg, SchoolArts author
I sent my first SchoolArts article to Nancy in 2015. I saw publication as the best way to advocate for the survival of my visual arts program.

In 2010, my school began implementing budget cuts. There were murmurs of visual art being eliminated entirely. Instead of seeing students every day, I was suddenly only allowed to meet with them once or twice a week. After an art position was eliminated, some students in the school never had any art classes at all. What could I do to change things?

Even after some funding was restored by the state, it was not restored to my art program. Instead, the school shifted its focus to basic skills. I adopted a STEAM approach, hoping to prove once and for all that visual art is an essential component of the core curriculum. I began blogging and using social media to promote my art program.

If I could learn to write well enough to get published, maybe I could reach a wider audience. Enter Nancy Walkup. Nancy used Facebook art teacher groups to call for submissions. I sent her a few ideas, and she was encouraging. Having an advocate who believed in me was priceless during those dark times. Seeing my work in print gave me the courage I needed to advocate for my program.

After many years, funding for the arts in my district was eventually restored. Many factors contributed to this change, and I certainly cannot take credit. But getting published gave me the confidence to persevere through the tough times, and I have Nancy to thank for that.

Sue Liedke, SchoolArts author
I'm so thankful to have encountered Nancy through SchoolArts—she's a true champion of art education. As an art teacher, I've turned to the contemporary issues of SchoolArts over and over again for inspiration—under her direction, each issue is a collection of ideas and lessons we can adapt for our own classrooms. She's encouraged me (and countless other educators) to share our best projects, experiences, and learning with each other. Through this, we're able to celebrate not only our work, but our students and our greater community of art educators.

Ken Vieth, Davis Publications and SchoolArts author
Nancy, I am wishing you all the best in the next chapter of your life. Looking back, you have been so supportive to so many art educators as an educator and editor-in-chief of SchoolArts Magazine.

I have felt your tremendous support as you have accepted dozens of my articles in SchoolArts.

It has been such a pleasure to be by your side at numerous state and national art conferences!

You have been a powerhouse for celebrating the field of art and art education. All the best in whatever direction you go.

Sharon Warwick, Art Teacher
Nancy’s role as editor-in-chief of SchoolArts showcased the many talents she brought and continues to bring to the fields of art and education. Nancy is a world-renowned organizer, presenter, and traveler in the arts. Her scholarship in curating art and artists for the publication informs art educators, offers the opportunity to showcase art teachers’ work, and connects art teachers with suppliers for their classes. Her passion for art, graphic design, and quality writing makes her the perfect member of a hundred-year-long line of editors of this quality periodical. She organized classes, workshops, and teacher presentations at UNT, TAEA, NAEA, and art museum conferences. All of these have manifested in the highly qualified and professional first female editor of SchoolArts. Well done, Nancy Walkup; you served art education well. We love honoring you and your excellent work.

Bret Laurie, Editor of SchoolArts
Nancy, what meant the most to me these past nine years working alongside you to edit the magazine was that you always treated me as an equal. Even from day one, when I was an intern, you saw me as an editor and someone to have in their corner. It has been a treat seeing you in person for our yearly planning meetings and at the NAEA conventions and various dinners—similar to seeing a family member or a long-lost relative! And every time we were photographed together at these events, I could tell you were always delighted to see me. I value our time together as editors, colleagues, and friends, and how you always made me feel proud to be part of SchoolArts. I hope to visit Santa Fe one day, and you and Bill can show me all the cool art spots!

Kristi Oliver, Professional Development Manager at Davis
Nancy’s impact on the field of art education is truly remarkable. She has the unique ability to support, encourage, and engage art teachers in a way that not only makes them feel valued but empowers them to want to share their skills with others. As an editor, she is incredibly supportive, generous, and attentive. Working with Nancy, I always learn something new and interesting—her knowledge base within the field of art education is vast, and she’s especially skilled in making pertinent and personal connections. I can’t wait to see what exciting and creative endeavors are next on her art education journey!

Julia Wade, Art Director of SchoolArts
Nancy started her editorship a couple issues before I started as designer. Knowing that Nancy had a background in graphic design, I was, to say the least, intimidated. I knew that I had a lot to prove. When we had our annual meeting to review the past volume year, Nancy made a point to compliment my design and continued to encourage me throughout the years. She, along with the rest of the SchoolArts team, created an environment that made me excited to do my job every day. As I look back on the many years’ worth of issues we created together, I am immensely proud of our work and so honored to have worked with Nancy. It was truly a joy and a time that I will always treasure.

See this feature in the September 2024 issue of SchoolArts magazine.