Connecting History through Art — Katie Gilmour

Meet Katie Gilmour

Katie Gilmour, an art teacher at EDGE, has spent her career building bridges between fine art and the classroom. Most recently, she collaborated with the Salem Art Association to develop the curriculum for the ReEnvision project. This initiative brings ten portraits of Oregon’s Black ancestors by artist Jeremy Okai Davis to life, ensuring these once-forgotten narratives are accessible to students across the district.

Honoring Identity through History

While the curriculum is rooted in the past, its real impact is in the present. Katie’s work allows students to reflect on their own lives and the value of those around them.

Her leadership in the classroom goes beyond technique; she is a champion for inclusion. Whether in art or creative writing, Katie ensures every student feels empowered to develop a strong, unique voice, proving that creative expression can be a transformative force.

"Katie’s work honors all experiences. She helps our students see the magnitude of their own place in the world through a beautiful exploration of identity and healing."
Terra Yates, Principal at EDGE

Leading by Example

Katie doesn't just teach art; she lives it. As a practicing artist and published author of the poetry collection “THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING, this changes nothing,” she shows her students what a professional creative life looks like.

For the past three years, she has curated "Art Teachers | AFTER HOURS," an exhibition at the Salem Art Association. By displaying her professional work alongside the student Young Artist Showcase, she provides a powerful example of mentorship in action. Through her extraordinary creativity and commitment to inclusive storytelling, Katie Gilmour is helping shape the next generation of empathetic, expressive leaders.

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