Art teacher in Superior receives award

SUPERIOR – Art students at the Superior High School have the distinction of being taught by the best fine art educator in the state after their teacher was recognized by the Montana Art Education Association.

Frances Kelly, who has taught art in Superior for 16 years, was recently awarded the Montana Art Educator of the Year Award. Kelly said she was pleased to be recognized by the prestigious organization.

“It’s pretty cool,” Kelly said. “I think it (art) is important because it helps students develop their creativity and problem solving skills. It’s very hands on. They are using their imagination.”

Kelly said the class was working on a variety of projects but one involved the artistic concept of implied line. Implied lines are lines that are not necessarily drawn into a work of art but are instead implied through the use of color, shapes or textures. The artistic element is designed to help guide the eye of the viewer through the piece of artwork.

Superior High School Principal Allan Labbe said the recognition demonstrated the high caliber of staff on hand at the school.

“It tells me we have a good art teacher,” Labbe said. “We have a lot of good teachers here in other areas but with her, I don’t even need to see an award to know what she does here. Some of the artwork we have on display from the kids is really amazing stuff. There’s always something really creative happening. She keeps the kids engaged and busy and that’s why she’s the Art Educator of the Year.”