Red Deer Polytechnic instructor receives award
Published 11:30 am Friday, May 8, 2026
A Visual Art instructor at Red Deer Polytechnic has received a provincial award.
On Wednesday, May 6, the post-secondary institution announced Marnie Blair had been honoured with the 2026 Alberta Colleges and Institutes Faculties Association (ACIFA) Distinguished Instructor Award, which recognizes outstanding post-secondary instructors across Alberta for their commitment to teaching, students and learning.
“At its core, teaching is about creating the conditions for students to take risks, fail, find their voice and build something meaningful,” said Blair.
“RDP has a caring community among faculty, staff and students. Teaching doesn’t always feel like work when you have that connection.”
Blair holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Lakehead University and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Calgary. She also has international study experiences at the Royal College of Art in London, England, and the Studio Art Centres International in Florence, Italy.
“I really value that teaching is reciprocal, and I’m always learning from my students,” said Blair.
“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, RDP stated in a media release, noting that 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 explained.
“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.”
Robbie Halonen, dean of RDP’s School of Arts and Education, said Blair’s “commitment to fostering creativity and technical skill in her students is extraordinary.”
“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,” said Halonen.
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.”
