Dr. Mara Pierce, 46
Assistant Professor of Art Education
Albuquerque, New Mexico
March 24, 2017
By Blair Koch, University Communications and Marketing, 657-2269
Assistant Professor of Art Education Dr. Mara Pierce has only been with Montana State University Billings since 2015, but she is already becoming a campus leader.
The Edwin Ziegfeld Award annually honors one American and one international art educator who have made an outstanding and internationally recognized contribution to art education through exceptional records of achievement in scholarly writing, research, professional service, or community service.
Pierce鈥檚 award came in part through her role as editor-in-chief of the USSEA鈥檚 biannual newsletter, 鈥淰oices.鈥�
鈥淭he publication really needed updating and I鈥檝e worked to give it vibrancy in an effort to increase membership,鈥� Pierce said.
Previously a commercial graphic artist, Pierce said her role with the newsletter was a perfect fit in becoming more involved in her career as an art educator.
鈥淭here is more outreach and more articles in the newsletter now,鈥� the 46-year-old said. 鈥淓ven students are getting involved in producing content.鈥�
Pierce came to MSU Billings after earning a doctorate of philosophy from the University of Arizona. She holds a Master鈥檚 in Art Education from the University of New Mexico and a bachelor of fine arts from the University of North Carolina Charlotte.
Just as with 鈥淰oices,鈥� Pierce said she strives to have her students consider multicultural points of view with their art.
鈥淚n addition to bringing local perspectives into their work it鈥檚 important to have a sense of what is going on in the world,鈥� she said.
Additionally, Pierce attempts to keep communication as a centerpiece.
鈥淣o one works in a vacuum. Our pedagogy is continuously transforming and we can learn so much from others,鈥� she said.