Ambassador

Bill Black is a high school art teacher with nine years of experience inspiring young artists in grades 9–12. At his school on the Colville Indian Reservation, about half of his students are Native American—just as he is. He teaches Commercial Art, Fine Art, and Digital Art, bringing both professional expertise and cultural perspective into the classroom. Before becoming an educator, Black built a long and successful career as a commercial artist. He earned his degree in Visual Communications from the Art Institute of Seattle in 1989 and has worked in the art field ever since. His background spans graphic design, illustration, and the business side of the art world, all of which he weaves into his teaching to prepare students for real-world creative opportunities. What motivates him most is helping students find their confidence. He loves when a student who first says, “I can’t draw” eventually lights up with pride, saying, “Look what I made!” Those moments remind him why art education matters—it builds not just skills, but also self-belief. Black has shared his knowledge as a presenter at the NAEA national convention and regional art groups. Both inside and outside the classroom, his goal is the same: to champion creativity, confidence, and the power of art to connect us.