Investing in ODU Undergraduate Art Education Students: Supporting Their Attendance at VAEA 2025

By Dr. Natalia Pilato

Art Education Program Director​

Associate Professor

Old Dominion University

The Virginia Art Education Association (VAEA) Conference, titled SPARK, will take place November 20–22, 2025, at The Hilton Norfolk The Main. This is the premier professional gathering for art educators in our state. For preservice teachers in the Old Dominion University Art Education program, attending this conference provides access to a wide range of professional development experiences that extend well beyond what can be offered in the classroom.

The Melinda Vooss Artfully Yours Memorial Fund has generously agreed to lend support to send pre-service teachers to this important conference -- by matching dollar for dollar any donations received to send 15 more students to this conference.

- $50 will be matched to $100 = supporting conference registration for 2 students

- $125 will be matched to $250 = supporting 5 students

- $375 will be matched to $750 = supporting all 15 students who need funds to attend

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Why This Matters

Professional Growth & Networks

Students connect with veteran art educators, museum professionals, and national leaders in the field. These relationships often lead to mentorship opportunities, teaching resources, and future employment connections.

Direct Classroom Impact

Every workshop, panel, and session they attend translates directly back into their future classrooms. They return with new teaching strategies, culturally responsive lesson plans, and practical approaches to advocacy for the arts in schools.

Capstone Student Presentations & Peer Learning

Our senior capstone students received a mini service-learning grant to support their attendance and will be presenting their community engagement project, Threads of Memory, a collaborative intergenerational weaving project created with residents of Commonwealth Senior Living. This is a unique opportunity not only for the capstone students but also for the other 15 students, who will attend the presentation, learn from their peers, and participate in the community weaving installation during the conference.

Career Pathways

All students will also attend the district supervisors’ recruitment meeting, a pivotal networking event that regularly leads to job opportunities in Virginia public schools. This experience directly supports the transition from student to professional educator.

Commitment to the Profession

Students who attend conferences early in their careers are more likely to remain in the profession long-term. They see themselves as part of a broader community of art educators—an identity that sustains them during the challenges of teaching.

Honoring the Legacy of Public School Art Teachers

This sponsorship, through the Melinda Vooss Artfully Yours Memorial Fund, directly honors the life’s work of dedicated public school teachers like Scott Vooss’ late wife. By investing in the next generation of art educators, her passion for ensuring every child has access to meaningful art experiences lives on in their classrooms.

The Investment

We are seeking support to fund the conference registration fees for 15 preservice art education students from Old Dominion University. Students will cover their own $45 VAEA/NAEA membership, demonstrating their personal commitment to the profession. Your support ensures that no student is excluded due to financial barriers.

- $50 will be matched to $100 = supporting conference registration for 2 students

- $125 will be matched to $250 = supporting 5 students

- $375 will be matched to $750 = supporting all 15 students who need funds to attend

For just $50 per student, donors will ensure that future art educators are able to attend and participate fully in this professional community. Each contribution directly equips a preservice teacher with tools, inspiration, and networks that will ripple outward to hundreds of children in their future classrooms.

Closing Note

On behalf of the ODU Art Education program, we thank you for considering this investment in our students. Your generosity through the Melinda Vooss Memorial Fund ensures that undergraduate art education majors have the professional preparation, mentorship, and inspiration they need to become dedicated public school and community art educators. Your support not only sustains their growth as future teachers but also honors the legacy of passionate art educators whose commitment continues to shape generations of students across Virginia.

Scholarship Spotlight: Carrying Melinda's Legacy Forward in the Classroom

The first recipient of the Melinda Vooss Art Education Scholarship shares how the award shaped her teaching and carried Melinda’s vision forward.

Three years since we lost Melinda, her passion for art and teaching continues to inspire a new generation of educators and students. Today, it feels especially fitting to reflect on the ripple effect of her influence — visible in the students whose paths she continues to shape, and in the programs and partnerships that keep her spirit alive.

The Melinda Vooss Art Education Scholarship is awarded each year to an Old Dominion University art education senior during their student-teaching semester. The $1,500 award provides both financial relief and recognition for a student who embodies Melinda’s belief in the power of art to uplift and empower.

In 2023, Bria Tyler became the scholarship’s first recipient, beginning her journey as an art educator with the same passion and purpose that defined Melinda’s career. Now in her second year of teaching, Bria reflects on the lessons she’s learned, the impact of the scholarship, and how she’s carrying Melinda’s legacy forward in her classroom.

1. Scholarship Impact

Can you talk about how the foundation scholarship influenced your journey as an art educator both in practical ways and in how you approach your teaching philosophy?

The foundation scholarship had a meaningful impact on my journey as an art teacher by allowing me to complete my student teaching experience with greater ease. It helped relieve some of the financial burden of schooling, which gave me the freedom to focus fully on developing as an educator.

Beyond the practical support, the heart of this scholarship, honoring the legacy of a remarkable art teacher, inspires my own teaching philosophy. I believe that through art and through teaching, I can give my students not only artistic skills, but also meaningful life lessons. Like Melinda, I hope to leave a lasting impact on the lives of my students.

2. Looking Back & Moving Forward

Now that you’re into your second year of teaching, what stands out as the biggest lesson you carried with you from your first year in the classroom?

The biggest lesson I have learned is to always be willing to adapt. Just because I may do a successful lesson with a group of children, does not mean it will be just as successful with another group, and I always need to be flexible and make accommodations so all students can have a positive learning experience when it comes to learning art techniques. 

3. Threads of Color – Art Show

Your “Threads of Color” art show showcased everything from Pre-K rock sculptures to collaborative ceramic quilts and 3D insect sculptures. What inspired this exhibition, and how did you see your students grow in confidence, creativity, and community through these projects?

The inspiration for the show came from being a new teacher with a passion for introducing fresh techniques to my students, many of which I knew they likely hadn’t experienced before. Through the exhibition, I introduced a variety of methods, including needle felting, 3D pens, ceramics, sewing, and papier-mâché. However, it was the integration of meaningful themes and big ideas that truly brought the projects to life, allowing the lessons to go beyond technique and become more impactful for the students.

Looking back, I couldn’t have asked for a better first art show. The students were incredibly proud to see their work displayed in such a professional and thoughtful way, and the parents were genuinely impressed. Since the previous art teacher had raised funds by having families purchase their child’s artwork, some parents assumed I was continuing that tradition. A few even asked if they could purchase pieces that weren’t their own child’s, which was an incredibly validating moment. It made me feel proud not only of the quality of the students’ work, but also of the creativity and effort they put into it. During the show, my Assistant Principal shared how clearly my passion for art came through in the exhibition. She noted how it inspired excitement among the students and might even spark a deeper interest in art for them moving forward. Her words, along with the response from students and families, truly affirmed the success of the show.

4. The Power of Art

Many of the projects you describe seem to give students more than just technical skills. How do you see art fostering pride, self-expression, and a sense of belonging in your classroom?

Art in my classroom is more than just a subject, but it’s a powerful tool for helping students connect with themselves and each other. When Kindergarteners work together on a shared collage, they're not only developing fine motor skills, but they’re learning how to collaborate, share ideas, and take pride in contributing to something bigger than themselves. When 2nd graders weave with natural materials, they experience the satisfaction of creating something with their own hands, which builds both confidence and a deep appreciation for the world around them. They also worked in groups to collect the materials, which brought students together and interacted in a different light. Also, when 5th graders present their insect research through art, they’re turning information into personal expression. These projects give every student a chance to be seen and heard, especially those who might struggle in more traditional academic settings. In this way, art becomes a bridge to self-expression, pride, and a true sense of belonging.

5. Carrying the Legacy Forward

Melinda’s legacy emphasizes art as a pathway to confidence and self-expression. In what ways do you see yourself carrying that legacy forward, and what kind of impact do you hope to leave on your students as they grow?

Melinda’s legacy reminds me that the most lasting lessons we offer our students aren’t just about skill, but about identity and confidence.

I carry that forward by creating a classroom where every child feels safe to take creative risks, explore their ideas, and express who they are. I want students to leave my classroom not just with improved technique, but with the belief that their voice matters. I hope the impact I leave is one of empowerment and that my students remember art as a space where they felt valued, capable, and inspired to keep creating, long after they leave my classroom.

Celebrating 3 Years of Creativity with ODU’s Young Artist Studio Series

The Melinda Vooss Artfully Yours Foundation is proud to celebrate our third year of partnership with Old Dominion University’s Art Education Program to support the Young Artist Studio Series (YASS).

Our foundation exists to carry forward Melinda’s belief that art has the power to transform lives. YASS reflects that mission perfectly: each program offers young people the chance to explore different art forms and develop their creative skills under the guidance of ODU Art Education seniors as they enter their preservice teaching semester. This partnership not only inspires the next generation of artists, but also prepares the next generation of arts educators.

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Why YASS Matters

At its heart, YASS is about more than just making art. It’s about giving children who are discovering their artistic voice, as well as older students who are seeking to expand their skills and confidence, the chance to:

• Experiment with new materials and techniques in a safe, supportive environment.

• Build confidence as they see their ideas take shape on the canvas, in collage, or through sculpture.

• Form friendships with peers who share their curiosity and creativity.

• Learn from mentors—ODU faculty and student teachers—who encourage them to think big and believe in themselves.

  
  

YASS embodies what our foundation values most: the power of art to change lives. For the young artists, it’s a chance to explore and create. For the ODU students stepping into their teaching journey, it’s a chance to practice, inspire, and learn from the children they guide. Together, they remind us that art transforms everyone in the room.

Parents often tell us how their child “came alive” during YASS, or how the program gave them a sense of belonging they hadn’t found elsewhere. And every year, we see the same spark in the preservice educators who guide them—proof that the impact of this program is felt on both sides of the classroom.

YASS 2025 Program Details

This year’s YASS offers two exciting workshop tracks for young artists. Each program runs for three consecutive Saturdays—and builds week to week—so students commit to attending all sessions.

Reflective Realities

• Ages: 7–11

• Location: Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA

• Dates: October 18, October 25, and November 1, 2025

• Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Young artists will explore self-expression through painting, collage, and mixed media while discovering new ways to reflect their personal stories in art.

Nature in Focus

• Grades: Middle School – High School

• Location: Hermitage Museum and Gardens, Norfolk, VA

• Dates: October 18, October 25, and November 1, 2025

• Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Older students will take inspiration from nature, using photography, cyanotype, and mixed media to connect creativity with the world around them.

Other Details:

• Scholarships are available to help cover costs.

• Photography consent is included with registration (student work may be photographed for portfolios or promotion).

• Contact: art.ed.odu@gmail.com for questions.

A Celebration of Young Talent

Each year, YASS culminates in a final student showcase—a joyful gathering where families see their children stand proudly beside their artwork, ready to share their inspiration and process. The energy in the room is always electric, and the pride on parents’ faces is unforgettable.

An Invitation to Families

As we celebrate three years of this partnership, we are more convinced than ever that programs like YASS change lives.

If your child loves to draw, paint, build, or experiment with creative ideas, we invite you to register them for YASS 2025. This is more than an art class—it’s a chance to discover their voice, gain confidence, and join a community that celebrates creativity.

👉 Click here to register now — spots are limited and fill quickly each year!

On behalf of the Melinda Vooss Artfully Yours Foundation, thank you to ODU, the faculty, the student mentors, and—most importantly—the young artists who inspire us every year. We can’t wait to see the creativity that blossoms in YASS 2025.