For Immediate Release
(Fairmount, IN) January 30, 2024-Allison Saathoff loves seashells, which provided the jumping off point for her application to the 2024 Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program through the Lilly Endowment. A 27-year veteran of art education, Saathoff is a long time Fairmount resident who has been a part of the Madison-Grant Art program for just 2 years and is now a recipient of the Teacher Creativity Fellowship awarded by the Lilly Endowment.
According to the Lilly Endowment, the program "supports educators by providing resources for them to take time for meaningful renewal. We believe that intentional renewal experiences, exploration, and reflection educators can generate renewed energy in their careers, innovative approaches to teaching and education leadership, and thoughtful ways to encourage thoughtful ways to encourage students' creative thinking." Superintendent Steve Vore has praise for Saathoff's expertise, “We are so fortunate to have Allison as a member of the Madison-Grant team. We have a reputation for excellence in the arts, and we know she adds so much value to the program. We are thrilled for her to receive this fellowship and appreciate the support the Lilly endowment provides to educators.”
Saathoff's award will give her the opportunity to travel to the shore and an island in Florida to do en plein air painting. She will also head to Chicago, and Maine to view paintings by Rembrant van Rijn’s “The Shell” and Andrew Wyeth’s “Her Room”. During her travels she will be creating a watercolor journal of shells and shorelines with the inspiration of the master's fresh in her mind. Saathoff looks forward to a summer of travel and art to provide renewed inspiration to share with her students in the future.
Questions or want more information? Contact Lindsey Barton at 347-452-8902 or