On the fourth floor of Pawley Hall, you’ll find the office of special instructor and Coordinator of Art Education Linda Tyson, who will be presented with the Michigan Higher Education Art Educator of the Year Award by the Michigan Art Educators Association on Saturday, Nov. 12.

Tyson, who has spent the last ten years working at OU, earned her degree as an educational specialist from the university in 2006.

Prior to her time at OU, she spent 27 years working as an art instructor at all levels of the public school system.

Tyson stressed the impact that art has on society: “I’ll ask (my students) ‘How is your life affected today by someone who had a major or a career in the arts?’ and it takes them a while. Then they start thinking, ‘I drove here — my car was styled by a designer. I’m in a building — that building required an architect.’ “

Tyson iterated the importance of art education considering the recent state of the economy.

“The state of Michigan says that they want a creative and innovative workforce,” she said. “What better place to allow students to be creative and innovative (than) by giving them opportunities in the arts.”

Those around her see Tyson’s passion and advocacy reflected in her work.

“Her enthusiasm is contagious,” said Natalia Blasco, a research assistant in the Teacher Development and Educational Studies department. “I think what makes her good at her job is how engaging and energetic she is. She truly believes that learning should be fun.”

Tyson says anyone can express themselves through art.

“Not all of art is drawing,” she said. “There are a lot of other art forms and ways to be creative that do not require you to draw. If you’re still learning the basics of good design and learning about color, (with) some of those structures of design and art, you can be successful.”

Tyson also views art as being basic to the human experience.

“You, as an individual, you’ve taken your ideas and you’ve created something tangible,” she said. “Something is there that you own — it’s yours.”

Tyson said students should take advantage of the arts-rich Detroit area: “Automotive design started here, a lot of glassblowing goes on in this area (and Detroit is home to) all sorts of wonderful architectural tradition.”