MEET VIRGINIA

Virginia Freyermuth, M.F.A., Ph.D.

National Award-Winning Art Educator
Dr. Virginia Freyermuth is a distinguished holistic art educator who has taught grades Pre K-12, college and adults. She has coordinated public school and college programs and is a passionate and articulate advocate of holistic art education.
Selected Awards:

  • 1994 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Education

  • 1995 National Outstanding Art Teacher, Walt Disney American Teacher Awards

  • 2014 Rhode Island Outstanding Higher Education Art Educator of the Year

  • 1989 Outstanding Massachusetts Art Educator of the Year

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Painting

  • Master of Fine Arts Degree in Painting

  • Ph.D. Interdisciplinary Studies, Concentration in Art Education


Artist
Virginia’s children's illustrations include both realistic and imaginative styles.  She illustrated the beloved national award-winning Norbert® book series. Norbert is her daughter Julie Steines’ real-life 3-lb. registered therapy dog. Julie, Norbert and Virginia have cultivated a highly-engaged social media following of 2 million people worldwide. Norbert promotes smiles, kindness & compassion, and he proves you don’t have to be big to make a BIG difference in the world. Visit www.Norberthood.com

As an award-winning artist, Virginia pursues both portrait painting and art inspired by Nature. She was the winner of the 1999 Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamp Competition and has exhibited at galleries, the Massachusetts State House, Peabody Essex Museum, and Duxbury Art Complex Museum, among others.

Author/Publisher

  • Co-Owner, Polly Parker Press, LLC Visit www.PollyParkerPress.com

  • Co-author of Norbert: Little Me Christmas (2020), published by Polly Parker Press

  • Co-author of Norbert’s Little Lessons for a Big Life (2017), published by Simon & Schuster

  • Chapter author in The Heart of Art Education: Holistic Approaches to Creativity, Integration and Transformation, published the National Art Education Association

  • Multiple professional and peer-reviewed journal articles including: School Arts Magazine, Visual Arts Research

  • Past Art Reviewer for The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, Massachusetts


Arts Advocate/Public Speaker/Consultant
Virginia has worked with many school systems as well as college and university educators and preservice teachers towards strengthening and advancing instruction in the arts.

  • Over 300 national and statewide speaking engagements; radio and television appearances

  • Curriculum development consultant

  • Worked closely with Dr. Peter London to develop and teach holistic art education workshops

  • Areas of Interest: Studio Art, Illustration, Holistic Art Education, Creativity, Arts Advocacy, Curriculum Development, Place-based and Nature Education, Interdisciplinary Studies, Writing