Education B.F.A. in Graphic Communications, Center for Creative Studies, Detroit
Art Certification (K-12), Wayne State University, Detroit
Teaching Experience Shrine Catholic High School & Academy Art Department since 1994 (28 years)
National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards – New York 2020 – Gold Medal Award in fashion
2019 – Gold Medal Award in fashion
2016 – Silver Medal Award in digital art
2015 – Gold Medal Award in digital art
2015 – Gold Medal Award in mixed media
2013 – Gold Medal Award in fashion
2009 – American Visions Award in fashion
2008 – Silver Medal Award in mixed media
2001 – Silver Medal Award in video & film
1997 – Silver Medal Award in video & film
1995 – Gold Medal Award in video & film
“Celebrating Art”-Blick Art Materials-National Student Anthology Triannual Publication
287 student artworks have been published since April, 2016
Personal Awards 2021 Celebrating Art/Blick Teacher of Distinction Spring Publication
2020 Celebrating Art/Blick Teacher of Distinction Spring & Fall Publications
2019 Celebrating Art/Blick Teacher of Distinction Spring & Fall Publications 2018 Celebrating Art/Blick Teacher of Distinction Spring & Summer Publications 2017 Celebrating Art/Blick Teacher of Distinction Spring, Summer & Fall Publications
2005 Detroit News Teacher of the Week
2001 Michigan Film & Video Teacher of the Year
1997 Shrine High School’s Teacher of the Year
Personal Statement
My goal as an art educator is to provide artistic excellence, self-esteem, and develop the creativity of each individual student within a positive atmosphere. Encouraging self-expression, I want to challenge students to reach their full artistic potential and become future artists of the world.
We are a Three Generation Shrine Family
1954 – Helen Henkel (Stewart) 12 years
1984 – Jamie Stewart Laidlaw 12 years
2018 – Calder Laidlaw “Shrine 13” 13 years
2021 – Aidan Laidlaw “Shrine 15” 15 years