Interdisciplinary collaborator, conference organizer, workshop demonstrator, and art juror are a few of Erin McIntosh's extracurricular activities. Recently, her work earned the assistant professor of visual arts at the University of North Georgia (UNG) a high recognition.

Erin McIntosh was named the 2020 Higher Education Art Educator of the Year by Georgia Art Education Association (GAEA). She was recognized with the honor Saturday, Nov. 7, at GAEA's 2020 virtual fall conference.

"It's really nice to be recognized by this association," McIntosh said, adding she never thought she would be nominated for an award. "There are so many people who deserve this kind of award."

The GAEA is a professional organization of art educators in Georgia affiliated with the National Art Education Association. Its mission is to advocate for the highest quality visual arts education and provide for the advancement of knowledge through service, leadership and research.

Dr. Pamela Sachant, head of the visual arts, said McIntosh deserved this recognition

"Many of her current and former students have earned recognition in outstanding artistic achievement awards, have been accepted into juried exhibitions, published in significant media outlets, and presented their work at regional conferences," Sachant said. "McIntosh is an excellent artist educator and her award is well deserved."