BRMS art teacher wins Northern Region Art Education Award

Elizabeth O’Neill, an art educator at Blue Ridge Middle School, has earned the prestigious Northern Virginia Art Education Association Middle Level Award in recognition of her exceptional contributions to visual arts education across the Commonwealth.

In addition, O’Neill has been elected as the newest middle level director of VAEA, a role that will allow her to leverage her expertise to advance and enrich the quality of art education statewide.

O’Neill teaches sixth and seventh-grade art as well as 3D art courses. She has long been known for her innovative approach to fostering creativity among her students. Her classroom is a hub of imagination, where young artists explore diverse materials, techniques, and cultural perspectives. 

The northern region VAEA Award for the middle level recognizes educators who demonstrate excellence in teaching, leadership, and advocacy for the arts. O’Neill’s commitment to her students and her passion for art education exemplify these qualities. Her work inspires creativity and builds confidence and problem-solving skills that extend beyond the art room.

Sixth grade student, Will Bocek said, “Ms. O’Neill is a good teacher, makes learning art fun, and gets students to really use their imaginations.”

Eighth grade 3D Art student, Margaret Pinkston said, “I feel that Ms. O’Neill is very good with helping students expand their thinking on other ways to use their creativity in their pieces of art, rather than staying with the techniques you like. Ms. O’Neill helps push your creativity to another level using different techniques.”

When reflecting on her career as an art teacher, O’Neill stated, “Teaching art to middle school students is my happy place. They inspire me with their creativity every single day. For me, they are the perfect age—they are in the process of developing their own identity and something I introduce to them at this level, whether it be a concept, project, technique or medium, could develop into a continued interest or a life-long passion.”

As O’Neill extends her leadership beyond the classroom as the newly elected middle level director for VAEA, she will guide the organization’s mission to support and advance visual arts education across Virginia. The association provides professional development, advocacy, and resources for art educators statewide.

“My vision for this new role is to provide a connection point for middle level educators throughout the year but mainly at our state conference. Oftentimes as middle level educators we feel isolated and “lost in the middle” between elementary and high school. We deal with a unique population of students that can, at times, present challenges.  hen we meet as a middle level at VAEA conference, it’s important that we make connections and form working relationships. We are each other’s greatest resource,” said O’Neill.  

Blue Ridge Middle School Principal, Brion Bell expressed pride in O’Neill’s achievement, “Ms. O’Neill brings out the hidden artist in every student. Whether it’s a sixth grader new to art or an experienced eighth grader on the potter’s wheel, she opens the door to meaningful creative opportunities. Many future artists, designers, architects, engineers, and animators begin their journeys in her classroom, guided by her vision and expertise. She is a bright presence on our staff and an example to her colleagues, making her VAEA award and her selection as regional representative truly well deserved.”

The Virginia Art Education Association, which promotes and advances visual arts education across the state, formally presented this award during its annual conference in Norfolk this past November.