HARDWICK – Hazen Union School art teacher James Lockhart has been named the Vermont Art Teacher of the Year by the Vermont Art Educators Association (VAEA), recognizing his 28 years of dedication to art education at Hazen Union and his lasting impact on students’ creativity and confidence.
Lockhart was surprised by the announcement at the VAEA Fall Conference at Lake Morey Resort on October 3.
“It was a total surprise. I still can’t believe it,” he said. After his fellow art teacher, Cindy Camber, announced his name, Lockhart’s wife and family came from around the corner to celebrate. “It was a very emotional moment!”
Throughout his career, Lockhart has inspired students to explore creativity and self-expression through open-ended projects. For him, the heart of art education lies in balancing structure with freedom. “Nothing hampers creativity like good directions,” he said. “I say that kiddingly, but I like to leave individual choice within assigned projects to foster creativity.”
Lockhart’s classroom is a space where every student, even those who claim they’re “not artistic,” is encouraged to explore their creative potential. “Everyone is artistic. It’s in there,” he said. “If you can write or draw the alphabet, you have the ability to draw as a master draftsperson. I can’t teach students how to draw, but I can teach them how to see differently.”
In addition to his teaching, Lockhart is a practicing artist who has exhibited and sold wood carvings, bronzes, paper mâché sculptures, fired clay sculptures, assemblages, drawings and paintings. He credits mentors such as the late Canadian sculptor Mark Prent, with whom he worked for about 30 years at Pink House Studios, and Professor Ken Leslie with the MFA program at Johnson State College (now Vermont State University) and the Vermont Studio Center, for helping shape his artistic journey.
A firm believer in art education, Lockhart has seen exponential growth in students’ creativity and process skills through art. According to Lockhart, their questions and desire to learn about art manifests in deep, analytical conversations and ultimately, increased self-esteem. “Art is a universal language that everyone can understand,” Lockhart said. “Learning about creative thinking and process is a powerful experience. I try to encourage my students to go a little further into their projects so that their finished artwork surprises them with their own abilities.”
The Vermont Art Educators Association presents this annual award to an educator who exemplifies excellence in art teaching, advocacy and creative leadership. For Lockhart, it’s a recognition of nearly three decades of inspiring students to see the world and themselves through the lens of art.
