Rachel Merrill-Schwaller to Present at Annual Art Conference

October 20, 2025

Rachel Merrill-Schwaller, Professor of Art at Grand View University, will present Strategies for Building Trust in the Creative Process at the annual Southeastern College Art Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, on October 25.

Her presentation will explore ways to model and implement empathy strategies in studio art classes as part of the hard/work of art/work, a practice that encourages students to trust the process, connect authentically, and build community through their creative work. Merrill-Schwaller’s approach highlights how empathy and collaboration can enhance both artistic growth and classroom culture.

The Southeastern College Art Conference (SECAC) brings together artists, educators, and scholars from across the country to share research and creative practices that advance art education and professional development in the arts.