Everyone is an artist in their own way, says Diane Wiltshire, who was named the 2003 Wyoming Art Educator by the National Art Educators Association .

"There is something within you that will help you create, regardless of what it is," Wiltshire said. "I believe it doesn't necessarily have to be visual arts, like painting. You can be an artist as a doctor, as a nurse, a policeman, whatever is your particular passion in life."

The key is to find that something and build on it, she said.

Each year the National Art Educators Association selects one teacher from every state who exemplifies the organization's ideals, according to the organization's president, Mac Arthur Goodwin.

While Wiltshire has only worked at the school this year, Fairdale Elementary Principal Sandy Cherry said the teacher has been invaluable to student and staff creativity.

"When you want to go in and do it (projects) with the kids, that's when you know you have magic in there," Cherry said, referring to projects Wiltshire has initiated this year.

Among other projects, Wiltshire asked Fairdale's staff and students to make paper fish to add to a school mural that will depict the entire school community.

"She doesn't let ideas drop. She expands on them," Cherry said.

Wiltshire started her career with the Natrona County School District in 1988, working as the art teacher for Midwest's kindergarten through 12th-grade classes. Two years later she began working in Casper, specializing in elementary art. She has been the district's elementary art department chair for three years.

Her students make her career fulfilling, she said.

"They just get excited about it and that's the best part of the whole teaching career in art. It's seeing them get excited and them wanting to explore," Wiltshire said.

The award reminds her that her profession is worthwhile and needed, she said.

"There are so many other areas that a child cannot succeed - it's black and white. This is not so black and white, and they can succeed and develop their own personality through art that they can't through other subjects," Wiltshire said.

Wiltshire's own work can be seen on her Web site (www.designsnwhims.com).