Houk Award

Pamela Houk’s work in art education, her vision and ideals for the development of an interactive space within the art museum were brought to life in 1976 with the opening of the Experiencenter. This gallery space for children and families is based on the concept that people learn more effectively and gain a better understanding of the creative process by being actively involved. As the originator and Curator of the Experiencenter for 23 years, Pamela Houk’s contribution to advancing art education for all ages was outstanding. To recognize her achievement and contribution to art education the Pamela P. Houk Award for Excellence in Art Education was developed.

2013 Recipient: James Pate

James Pate is the recipient of the 12th annual Pamela P. Houk Award for Excellence in Art Education. An accomplished artist and dedicated community arts educator, James successfully uses his own art to inspire youth to achieve what may seem impossible and to engage in a dialogue about issues vital to their lives. James has previously been honored with an Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award and two Montgomery County Individual Artist Fellowships. He has been a presenter and workshop leader at the Ohio Art Educator Association’s State Conferences, assistant project director for the Visual Voices and Dayton Skyscrapers art projects, and was the recipient of the OAEA’s 2012 Distinguished Citizen for Art Education award. James has also served as an art instructor for K-12 Gallery, Boys and Girls Club of America in Cincinnati, Colonel White High School for the Arts and Belmont High School. For the past eight years, James has assisted in the design and implementation, and is an instructor for the Youth Summer Art Camp at SHANGO: Center for the Study of African American Art and Culture. James’ teaching and impact on community is felt far beyond the gallery, art camp or art studio. His weekly art programs at the Dayton Correctional Institution are one of the most successful and well received programs offered to inmates by the State of Ohio Correctional System. As an artist, James has spent 10 years creating a body of work titled Kin Killin’ Kin, focused on the social problems of youth and gun violence.

Nomination Process

Individuals who have successfully developed, implemented and managed a
program that has contributed to the advancement of art education in
southwestern Ohio are eligible to be nominated for this award.
Individuals may self-nominate or be nominated by someone familiar with
their initiative. For more information about the Houk Award and the
nomination process, contact Diane Stemper, at 937-512-0148 or e-mail dstemper@daytonart.org.

The 2013 Houk Award winner was announced at The DAI's Annual Meeting on February 6, 2013 - congratulations to James Pate!

Past Houk Award Winners

2012: Jennifer Austin Jennings, Artist and Art Educator

2011: Langston Watras, Art Educator at Patterson-Kennedy PreK-8 School in Dayton

2010: Suzanne Mitolo, K-1 Teacher at Centerville Primary
Village South / Reggio Method

2009: Willis Bing Davis, Founder and President of Davis Art
Studio and EbonNia Gallery

2008: Jerri Stanard, Founder and Director of K-12 Gallery 

2007: John Polston, Retired Art Teacher and Department Chair, Sinclair
Community College

2006: Lizabeth Whipps, Coordinator of Arts Magnet Program at
Stivers School for the Arts

2005: Award was not presented

2004: Viriginia Burroughs, Art Educator, Dayton Public Schools

2003: John Virgint, Gifted Coordinator for Bradford Schools, Bradford, OH

2002: Tommy Rueff, Developer of Happen, Inc., Cincinnati

2001: Gladys Williams, Accessible Arts Coordinator, Wright State University