The San Diego County Art Education Association in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education presented the 2012 Awards of Excellence in Visual Art Education at the Annual Artissimo dinner and celebration held at Marina Village May 23, 2012. The following are San Diego Unified School District educators who were recognized for their commitment to visual art instruction for their students:
- Don Masse, art teacher at Zamorano Elementary, received the Artissimo Rookie of the Year Award
- Dr. Pat Crowder, principal at Patrick Henry High School, received the Administrator of the Year Award for Secondary Schools
- VC Groves, art teacher at LEADS San Diego High School, received the Artissimo Choice Award