What is color? And why is it so hard to define?
In today's Art Ed Radio episode, Tim sits down with lexicographer and author Kory Stamper to explore the strange, fascinating, and often messy world of color. From dictionary definitions to commercial uses to industrial color matching, Kory shares how something we see every day is surprisingly difficult to pin down in words.
She discusses how scientists, artists, and industries all approach color differently, and why humans are both wildly inconsistent and incredibly accurate when it comes to perceiving and matching color. You’ll also hear stories from Kory’s new book, True Color, and what those stories can tell us about the power of language, perception, and association.
Whether you love color theory, design, or just a good deep dive into something we take for granted, this conversation is worth diving into.
What does it really look like to earn your Master's Degree from AOEU?
In this episode of Art Ed Radio, Tim sits down with two educators who took very different paths through the Master of Arts in Art Education program at The Art of Education University. One moved slowly and steadily over several years, while the other accelerated through the program in a much shorter timeframe.
Through the stories of Riki Atkins and Mary Donlon, you’ll hear how earning a master’s degree can transform your teaching—whether you’re balancing family life and a full schedule or taking advantage of a season where you can move through your courses quickly.
If you’ve ever considered going back to school but weren’t sure how it could fit into your life, this episode offers honest insights, practical advice, and plenty of encouragement.
In today's episode of Art Ed Radio, Nadia Fernandez-Castillo joins the show to talk about how she built a strong, structured middle school art program rooted in a modern version of the Atelier model. After more than two decades in education and years of teaching middle school art, she shares how repetition, observation, sketchbook practice, and gradual student choice can work together to build both skills and confidence.
The conversation explores how a spiral curriculum can make complex ideas more approachable for teachers and more effective for students. Nadia explains why she starts with the basics, how she uses drills and repetition to help students improve, and why she believes artistic growth comes from practice rather than talent. She also shares how she balances structure with personal voice so students can develop technical skills without losing creativity.
In this episode from the archives, Tim sits down with Jessica Stuver, a K–8 art teacher, to discuss Youth Art Month and why early advocacy is crucial for art education. Jessica shares practical strategies for celebrating student creativity, promoting the value of art programs, and making Youth Art Month meaningful for schools and communities.
The conversation also explores the power of connection among art teachers, from conferences and professional learning communities (like the Art of Ed Community!) to everyday idea-sharing that helps educators stay inspired. As winter sets in, Jessica offers thoughtful advice on navigating the challenging months of the school year, preparing for the second semester, and prioritizing self-care while continuing to support students.
In this March mailbag episode of Art Ed Radio, Tim Bogatz is joined by Amanda Heyn to give some advice for the upcoming NAEA National Convention and answer a variety of other questions. From light topics like underrated artists to heavier discussions about career uncertainty, this episode again offers some real talk about the issues art teachers are facing right now. The episode wraps up with a look at the State of Art Ed survey, including discussions about curriculum, behavior management, and showcasing student artwork.