From the earliest age, James Rees has viewed the world through the lens of an art maker, with every endeavor connecting back to the foundational act of artistic expression. While his passion for art naturally evolved into a distinguished career of over thirty years as an award-winning art educator at institutions including Brigham Young University and the University of Arizona, the pivotal domain in his life remains the creation of art itself. A highly acclaimed advocate for the arts, his expertise has been sought by organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, and he has held influential roles, including Vice President of the National Art Education Association (NAEA) and Commissioner for the NAEA Research Commission. His work—encompassing his renowned printmaking workshops and thought-provoking lectures on the role of arts in education—has reached galleries, lecture halls, and residency programs across the globe, from South Korea and Chile to the United States. James continues to champion the arts, using each opportunity to empower both students and teachers while leaving an indelible mark on aspiring artists and educators worldwide.