2025 Fall GAEA Conference

Conference Registration

Conference Chairs:

Lodging Information

Our conference hotel is The Ridges Resort at Lake Chatuge. Please note the following booking instructions. All hotel booking for The Ridges should be done using instructions below:​

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• The Ridges Resort (Official Conference Hotel)
  GAEA has secured a discounted room block at The Ridges Resort. To receive the group rate, be sure to book using the instructions below:

  • Phone Reservations: Call 706-896-2262 ext. 1 and ask for the Georgia Art Education Association Block.

  • Online Reservations: Visit The Ridges Resort website and use Group Code: GEORGIAART25

  Important: Do not book through third-party sites (Expedia, Booking.com, etc.)—these will not count toward our room block or guarantee the group rate.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for commercial vendor tables, as well as tables for colleges and universities.​

Vendor Information

• Conference registration will open on August 4, 2025. ​

• Early Bird registration will be available from August 4 – September 5, 2025.​

Artist Market

Artist Market, 7:00-9:00 pm, November 14, 2025. Please contact Debi West, Artist Market Chair, for more information.dewestudio@gmail.com

Early Bird Registration for Members is $225

Retired/Preservice: $175

August 4 - September 5

Overflow Lodging Option:

Brasstown Valley Resort – Reservation Information for GAEA Attendees/A room block has been arranged at Brasstown Valley Resort for GAEA attendees.

• Online Reservations
  Use the following link to book your room online:
  Click here: Brasstown Valley Resort

• Phone Reservations
  Call the Reservations Department at 706-379-9900 and mention the Georgia Art Education Association to receive the group rate.

Please note: After the cut-off date of Friday, October 17, 2025, reservations will be accepted based on availability and current rates. Early booking is strongly encouraged.

Registration site will go live on Aug 4

Welcome to the 2025 GAEA Fall Professional Learning Conference!

November 13–16, 2025 | Young Harris College & The Ridges Resort

Get ready for a weekend of creativity, connection, and professional growth in the scenic North Georgia mountains! This year’s ArtVentures-themed conference offers a rich blend of hands-on workshops, engaging division meetings, inspiring tours and area activities, a dynamic Members’ Exhibit, and our ever-popular Artists’ Market.

Don’t miss special events including:

• The NAHS and Helen Fleming Stone Auctions

• The Awards Luncheon

• Our Keynote Gala Lunch featuring acclaimed contemporary landscape artist John L. Cleaveland

• Don’t Forget!

  Here are a few helpful tips as you prepare for your ArtVentures weekend:

  • Book Your Stay: Hotel rooms at our special GAEA rate are limited—reserve early!

  • Support the Auctions: Bring a 9x12 ready-to-frame original artwork for the NAHS Auction and consider donating a piece for the Helen Fleming Stone Auction—two great ways to support young artists and scholarship opportunities!

  • Session Reminders: Some workshops will be ticketed while others remain open—be sure to arrive on time to guarantee your spot.

  • Artist Market Tip: Many vendors accept cards, but cash is always a good backup for those who don’t use digital payments.

Need Help?

• Conference Co-Chairs:
  Kirby Meng – kmeng@bellsouth.net
  Drew Brown – browndrew@fultonschools.org

• Artist Market: Debi West – dewestudio@gmail.com

• NAHS Auction: Ivey Coleman – iveymcoleman@gmail.com

• Helen Fleming Stone Auction: Dr. Dan DeFoor – drdand4@gmail.com

• Business Rep: Aimee Burgamy – aburgamy1@gmail.com

• Members’ Exhibit: Noelle Petersen – petersenn@fultonschools.org

We can’t wait to explore, learn, and create together at the 2025 GAEA Fall Conference!