Award to Lander Professor Recognizes Outstanding Work as College Art Educator

GREENWOOD, S.C. — Among college art educators, Doug L. McAbee has been named the best in the Palmetto State for 2024.

McAbee, a Lander University art professor, is the recipient of this year’s Higher Level Art Educator of the Year Award by the South Carolina Art Education Association (SCAEA).

Presented to an active SCAEA member, the award recognizes an educator who demonstrates outstanding teaching and program development, as well as a strong advocacy for the art profession at the college level.

“I am honored to be nominated by such a great group of South Carolina art teachers,” McAbee said. “I offer my services to high school art teachers as a workshop leader and have done several workshops for high school students across the state.”

McAbee also interacts with teachers in other supportive ways, such as providing information about how they can prepare their students for college and offering advice about building their art curriculum.

”All of this helps to advertise our amazing studio degrees to art teachers in the state and hopefully builds pathways to bring in high quality, prospective students,” he said. “The members of the SCAEA are some of the best and most vibrant K-12 art teachers in the state. To have their support and approval means so much.  I’m truly honored.”

During his distinguished career, McAbee has authored numerous publications, participated in exhibitions showcasing his sculptures, paintings and drawings and earned awards for his art. He has received recognition at numerous juried competitions and has completed public art commissions in South Carolina. He earned a bachelor’s degree in art and a master’s degree in fine arts, both from Winthrop University.

The SCAEA is a chapter of the National Art Education Association(NAEA), which advances visual arts education to fulfill human potentialand promote global understanding. The NAEA is dedicated to providing educators with connectivity, resources and opportunities to enrich their classrooms, enhance their careers and inspire creativity.

For more information on Lander’s art and design programs, please visitwww.lander.edu/art.

CUTLINE: Doug McAbee adjusts the costume of a student during the Puppet Parade at Lander University. The parade is an annual event for Sculpture 1 students at the University. Photo by Karen Petit.