Marnie Blair, a Visual Art instructor at Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP), has been honoured with the 2026 Alberta Colleges and Institutes Faculties Association (ACIFA) Distinguished Instructor Award. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding post-secondary instructors across Alberta for their commitment to teaching, students and learning.
"Marnie's commitment to fostering creativity and technical skill in her students is extraordinary," says Dr. Robbie Halonen, Dean, School of Arts and Education, Red Deer Polytechnic. "Receiving nominations from both colleagues and learners speaks volumes about the impact she has on our academic community. We are proud to see her recognized with the 2026 ACIFA Distinguished Instructor Award."
While Blair brings extensive knowledge and experience to the classroom, it is her deep passion for teaching art at RDP that truly distinguishes her. That passion shapes every aspect of her approach.
"At its core, teaching is about creating the conditions for students to take risks, fail, find their voice and build something meaningful," says Blair, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Lakehead University and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Calgary. "RDP has a caring community among faculty, staff and students. Teaching doesn't always feel like work when you have that connection."
Her teaching is further enriched by international study experiences at the Royal College of Art in London, England, and the Studio Art Centres International in Florence, Italy. These global perspectives, combined with the dynamic exchange she fosters with students, broaden the learning environment and continue to influence Blair's own artistic practice.
"I really value that teaching is reciprocal, and I'm always learning from my students," she adds. "Their perspectives, their questions and the way they approach materials, continue to shape and evolve my own practice."
Blair's role at the Polytechnic has also opened doors for interdisciplinary exploration, particularly through collaborations with RDP's Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing-Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC). These opportunities allow her to merge artistic inquiry with emerging technologies.
"The polytechnic model is a great fit for my practice as an artist," Blair explains. "My research sits at the intersection of art, women's health, medical humanities and technology. Working in the CIM-TAC has allowed me to bring interdisciplinary research directly into the studio, giving students insight into how art can connect with health and technology."
Blair received the Distinguished Instructor Award at the 2026 ACIFA Conference held May 3-5 in Jasper, where she also delivered a presentation titled Collective Care and Creative Risk.
For more information about RDP's Visual Art Diploma program, visit: rdpolytech.ca/VisualArt.
