Q: What made you want to become an art teacher?
A: Teaching found me. It was the next logical step in my field. I initially worked as a graphic artist in a print shop. I taught mechanical drawing to an art teacher there. When he retired, he suggested I apply for his position, and that’s how I started teaching at St. James in 1982. I enjoy teaching because it’s productive, and I love seeing students learn from me.
Q: How did you begin teaching at Bonner & Prendie?
A: I taught at St. James for 12 years. When the school closed, I was offered positions at Carroll or Bonner. The former art teacher at Bonner also taught for half of the day at Carroll. She chose to stay at Carroll full-time, and I chose Bonner because it was an all-boys school.
When I arrived at Bonner, there were just two desks and one set of colored pencils. I brought in brushes, equipment, paints, and everything needed to rebuild the program. Now, we have three art classrooms and 135 students taking art classes. It’s very popular here.
Q: What classes do you teach at Bonner & Prendie?
A: I teach all four years of art, including a class in Photoshop. Next year, we’ll offer a full-year digital graphics course. We’ll teach students how to use digital programs and give them real- world projects simulating graphic artwork. We’ll conduct this class in our Mac lab, which the school recently updated with new computers and desks. The goal is to prepare students for the digital graphics field.
Q: How has the art program at Bonner & Prendie evolved since you started?
A: I arrived at Bonner in 1993, and since then, the projects have evolved significantly with the introduction of the digital world. I’m an illustrator outside of school and used to hand-draw everything. Now, I can do that on a computer and make changes in real-time, which is something I teach the kids. It shows them the value of technology, saving time and giving them more opportunities to perfect their work.
Q: What unique techniques do you teach your students?
A: I teach students to see things differently from day one, like realizing a piece of paper has six sides. We cover basic shapes and how to make them as three-dimensional objects. I also emphasize drawing solid tones and understanding that you don’t need to draw lines around everything.
For the first quarter, we focus on perspective, and students draw a room by finding vanishing points. They later choose a famous person to draw. It’s like boot camp. Some students may resist art at first, but they become very productive once they see their progress.
Q: What extracurricular programs have you introduced at Bonner & Prendie?
A: I’ve helped introduce several programs, including the Yearbook, the Mural Arts Program, and Stage Crew. Every year, our senior class creates a new mural on a new set of lockers, each featuring a community where our students reside. They look like gigantic postcards, and alumni enjoy taking pictures in front of them during events. For the theatre productions, I’m the scene painter for our shows here and also at Archbishop Ryan.
Q: Why are the arts so important?
A: The arts make you well-rounded. Achieving high academic marks is great, but creating something with your hands gives a unique sense of accomplishment. Music, visual arts, and writing are deeply personal and make you feel good.
Q: What do you love most about your work at Bonner & Prendie?
A: I’ve been teaching for 43 years and still enjoy seeing students light up when they learn a new technique and find it productive. Seeing students succeed in something I’ve taught them and watching them carry that skill forward is incredibly rewarding. Making them successful in art and seeing their pride in their achievements is what I love most.
Q: Is there a moment that stands out to you during your tenure at Bonner & Prendie?
A: One standout moment is when students tell me they’re here because of me. We’re very enthusiastic about our program during open houses, and students say they feel inspired by the work. Knowing that I’ve positively impacted their decisions and seeing them enjoy art is incredibly fulfilling. It puts pressure on my colleagues, but knowing I’ve made a difference is heartwarming.
Q: What are your interests outside of teaching?
A: My wife and I have four children, three boys and a girl, and we’re very proud of them. I enjoy riding my motorcycle, even in winter—it’s therapeutic for me. I’ve been riding since I was 18, and I’m 64 now. I also have a massive drum set and used to be in bands. I am also involved in sprint car racing from March to October. My daughter jokes that with all my interests, I’ll never have a mid-life crisis.