Desert Edge art teacher, advocate brings home award

By Madeline Ackley Salazar
Mail | Twitter: @Mkayackley

Ryan Williams, an art teacher and program director at Desert Edge High School and an advocate for the arts in the greater West Valley, will be recognized March 5 for his work at an awards ceremony in New York.

Last year, Williams was named the Arizona Art Educator of the Year, an award presented by the Arizona Art Education Association.

“Just being nominated is an honor in itself, but to receive the award...I’m in shock with it,” Williams told the Goodyear-Litchfield Park Independent last fall.

Williams teaches art at Desert Edge High School in Goodyear, but he’s also director of the school’s art conservatory and is deeply involved in community art programs both on and off-campus.

Outside the district Williams also heads the West Valley Art’s Gallery 37, a summer arts program that pairs young people with experienced artists to help create a piece of public work, to be displayed permanently in a participating West Valley city.

Ryan is a tremendously dedicated, creative and committed educator who has made a significant impact in many young peoples’ lives,” said West Valley Arts President Sandra Bassett. “The artwork created by these young students will forever be on display in communities throughout the West Valley. That’s quite a legacy.”

Many of the young people Williams encounters have never had previous art exposure. He said he loves seeing them progress and is often floored by what his students can create in a short time.

“It’s incredible to see what teenagers come up with...you can’t underestimate them,” he said.

Williams will be officially recognized Saturday at the Pacific Region Awards Ceremony in New York.

Madeline Ackley Salazar can be reached at mackley@iniusa.org or found on Twitter @Mkayackley.