Three days of making, learning, connecting, and celebrating visual arts education.
Register. Reserve. Plan.
Online pre-registration is now closed. Onsite registration available.
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October 22-24, 2026
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Put #vaARTed26 in Your Pocket! |
Explore #vaARTed26
Conference SWAG!
Conference apparel: Get your conference shirt shipped to your door with Bonfire! It takes 7-14 days to be delivered. Make sure you order in time to wear it at the conference October 22-24!
Order your conference shirts today! |
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Artisans Market:
Are you an educator with a side hustle? Sign up for the VAEA Conference Artisan Market! |
VAEA Conference Keynote Speaker
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Keynote Speaker: Sandy Williams IV
Sandy Williams IV is an interdisciplinary artist, filmmaker, and educator whose work explores time, memory, and the emotional landscapes that shape our shared human experience. Blending public art, performance, and storytelling, his practice centers on love, empathy, and the power of communal connection. Williams describes his work as a form of care, inspired by the deep sense of belonging he experienced through his family. Like a meaningful meal, his art holds people and their stories, creating space for reflection, healing, and collective catharsis. He holds a BA from University of Virginia and an MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University, and currently serves as Assistant Professor of Art at University of Richmond. A recipient of the prestigious Joan Mitchell Fellowship, as well as fellowships from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the New York Community Trust, Williams has exhibited and performed widely across the United States and internationally. His work has been featured in major publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and BBC. Through his innovative practice and powerful storytelling, Sandy Williams IV invites audiences to consider how art can hold memory, build empathy, and bring people together in meaningful and lasting ways. |
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Making a difference together.
Creating together. Giving back. Making a difference.
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VAEA Conference Community Outreach
VAEA is excited to partner with the Children’s Hospital of Richmond (ChoR) to support children in transitional care. Art educators and students can get involved by donating supplies, creating decorations for special events, or working directly with children through an onsite workshop. Visit the Community Outreach table at the conference to learn how you can help.
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VAEA Conference Electronic Gallery
Share your artwork with fellow art educators across Virginia! Simply copy the slideshow linked below, add your artwork, and share it with CVAEA at [[email protected]]