Dale Battle was a lifelong advocate of art education and as such saw Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) as an important ally in fostering the arts programs in schools throughout the state. Dale was well respected as both a working artist and an art educator in Texas. In 1987 he was recognized as the Texas Elementary Art Educator of the Year. In 1996 he was inducted as a Distinguished Fellow of the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) where he served as the Chair of the Fellows Program. Dale served as the Elementary Division Chair on the National Art Education Association’s Board of Directors. In 2009 he was named as the Texas Art Educator of the Year due to his continued commitment to the development of art education throughout the state even into his “retirement.” Dale could often be found driving his truck around the state judging and volunteering at regional and state Visual Art Scholastic Events (VASE). Few things brought him more pleasure than seeing a former student who chose art as a career path, especially when that path included the classroom.
A graduate of the University of Houston where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Art Education, Dale began teaching in the public schools of Goose Creek Consolidated ISD in Baytown, Texas for 33 years until he retired in 2003. He continued his education at Sam Houston State University where he earned a Master’s in Education. A deciding factor in the choice to teach in Goose Creek was that they did not require the men to wear a neck-tie in the classroom!
Dale’s wide and varied interests carried over into his curiosity about art and is evidenced in his collection of works. Dale has worked in clay, metal, wood, watercolor, acrylics, pencil, charcoal, and glass. Dale discovered glass blowing in the early 1980s and worked under the mentorship of Bill Bagley at the Texas Tech Center in Junction, Texas. Dale was hooked and has been working with this program ever since both as an instructor, technical advisor, and a student. Dale looked forward to his time in Junction where he worked and played hard. Not only did he develop a special bond with the glass, he also developed long lasting friendships that he treasured.
Dale believed in TAEA and giving back all he could to students in order to grow them as learners and as artists. Established in 2011,the Dale Battle Memorial Conference Scholarship provides funds for first-year art educators to attend the TAEA Annual Conference in order to grow their teaching skills and connect them with the art education community — building on his legacy of giving back to impact students. Applications are being accepted for this scholarship, please submit an application by October 15 using the Apply Now button below.
Applications are incomplete until the Administrators Statement is returned as a PDF to Tim Lowke, TAEF Chairperson at tim.lowke@txartedfoundation.org.
If you would like to continue Dale’s presence and work among the students of the future through first year art educators, make a donation — click the Donate Now button below.
Texas Art Education Foundation 