Art, Nature & Meditation – Passport to the Arts

Create the Day – Create Every Day

Painting in Cabo San Lucas

My journey into the arts, understanding of nature and meditation is central to my being – as a visual artists, writer, poet, and teacher. I approach my work, writing, music, and art making, as others might approach a more traditional method of meditation – Being in the moment of seeing, drawing, painting, and writing. I approach my fine arts practice and my teaching as a form of meditative art making, as a means toward an understanding and a method of communication to self and others. I glean from nature the elements and principles of composition and as a pathway in becoming grounded.

Dr. Irene Naested is Professor Emerita from Mount Royal University. She is a visual artist, and published author, and daily practices some form of meditation, primarily through art, writing and movement.

Contact: email Irene Naested

Dr. Irene Naested receives National Art Teaching Award

The Canadian Society for Education through Art (CSEA) has named Mount Royal University Professor Irene Naested, PhD, as the Canadian Art Educator of the Year (Higher Education) for 2014.

The award recognizes the exemplary contributions, leadership and excellence in teaching and research of one outstanding CSEA member annually at the national level. The award will be presented at the annual CSEA conference entitled ‘Visual Revival’ held on October 24-25, 2014 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

To view the entire article on the Mount Royal Website, please visit the link below –

Dr. Irene Naested Educator Award

Dr. Irene Naested receives Professor Emerita, Mount Royal University

Irene Naested was chosen by Mount Royal University’s Board of Governors as Professor Emerita for her lifelong commitment to teaching and education.

Naested, Ed.D., recently retired from her role as chair in the Department of Education in the Faculty of Teaching and Learning. Throughout her 18 years at Mount Royal, she was the driving force behind Mount Royal’s Bachelor of Education — Elementary, among other important initiatives.

“She was persistent and relentless in her drive to ensure that MRU eventually received the B.Ed. Elementary program,” said Norm Vaughan, professor in the Department of Education.

Irene Naested was chosen by Mount Royal University’s Board of Governors as Professor Emerita for her lifelong commitment to teaching and education.

 

Naested, Ed.D., recently retired from her role as chair in the Department of Education in the Faculty of Teaching and Learning. Throughout her 18 years at Mount Royal, she was the driving force behind Mount Royal’s Bachelor of Education – Elementary, among other important initiatives.

 

“She was persistent and relentless in her drive to ensure that MRU eventually received the B.Ed. Elementary program,” said Norm Vaughan, professor in the Department of Education.

 

Naested has authored and co-authored eight publications, including Understanding the Landscape of Teaching and Exploring the Math and Art Connection, and has delivered numerous academic and professional presentations. She holds a research interest in helping teachers learn to make connections between art and math, believing that students who make the connection have a better understanding and confidence in both subjects.

 

Naested came to Mount Royal after 20 years as a successful teacher, curriculum leader and department head with the Calgary Board of Education. With a B.Ed. and an MA from the University of Calgary, Naested earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Brigham Young University in 1993. Two years later, she was welcomed to the Department of Behavioural Sciences at Mount Royal.

 

She has been recognized for her teaching excellence, receiving Mount Royal’s Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award in 2009. Naested was among the first faculty at Mount Royal to be granted the rank of full professor in 2012.

 

Upon retirement, she created the Dr. Irene Naested Travel Fund that provides up to $1,500 for student travel to research conferences. Students have used this funding to explore scholarship opportunities in Montreal, St. Catherines and Chicago.

-MRU Website, 2015