By Kaerie Ray
San Clemente Times
San Clemente High School art teacher Rick Delanty puts the final strokes on his 32-year career
Rick Delanty doesn’t really need to involve himself in another project. At 55 years old, Delanty is about to retire from 32 years of teaching art at San Clemente High School, he participates in numerous marathon races and simultaneously runs his own art studio and gallery. What’s more, he is also the noted curator of “Coming Attractions,” a showcase of work by art students on display through mid-May at Casa Romantica.
The third annual exhibit consists of pieces by Delanty’s students, purposefully aimed at representing the SCHS art curriculum in a museum-quality exhibition. “Coming Attractions” is all about young artists who are just making their debut, and whom we’ll be seeing a lot more of in the future. Each of the works presented includes a copy of the lesson plan and a grading rubric, in order to help viewers grasp more fully the intent of the piece and the process involved in creating art. “It helps people to understand what art is really about, which is problem solving and communication,” explains Delanty. “And it lets people know we’re not just rolling out the crayons.” Delanty jokes, but there’s an underlying tone about his work that lets you know he’s serious about teaching kids art.
Delanty’s voice conveys raw enthusiasm, not just about teaching but also about kids. After more than three decades at the high school, his excitement and passion are undiminished. “I started in ’74, and I’ve taught in the same room every single year. I’ve seen kids go on to become artists themselves, or they take on painting as a hobby,” he says with the knowledge that he played an integral role in their growth and education. “They keep in touch and I see them often around town. It makes me realize that God breathes a purpose into every person, and this [teaching art] has been mine.”
When Delanty first set out for college in 1969, art wasn’t exactly at the top of his list of study. In fact, his love for literature led him in the direction of writing and journalism. “I remember reading “The Illustrated Classics” by M.D. Wyatt and they were filled with pirates, knights, cowboys and Indians,” reminisces Delanty, who couldn’t get enough and began working toward a literature degree at University of California at Santa Barbara. There he ran cross-country, a precursor to a decades-long passion for distance running. He recalls aloud the burning of the Bank of America in Isla Vista and suddenly states, “I wanted to go to Berkeley, but my dad wouldn’t let me go.” Laughing, “He said it was the headquarters of revolt!” As time progressed Delanty earned his bachelor’s degree in literature, then another in art before heading to San Clemente. Here he met and married his wife, Lynn, a geometry and algebra teacher of 29 years also at SCHS, and welcomed two daughters into the fold: Michelle, 19, and Lisa, 16.
Delanty shares about his high school experience at Santa Rosa, California, where his own art instructor’s negative example planted the first seed of motivation toward becoming a teacher. “Later on I recalled that experience and I just knew the kind of teacher I wanted to be—and the kind I didn’t want to be,” he says. “It inspired me to be a great teacher.”
Delanty knows what he’s talking about; students and parents alike sing his praises. “From a parent’s perspective,” says Valerie Muesse, “he’s one of the greatest teachers San Clemente High School has ever had.” Muesse is the mother of Olivia, a senior at SCHS who’s been a student of Delanty’s all four years. Her son, Kirk, graduated in 2001 and was also Delanty’s student. “He’s such a promoter of kids and of their art and their talent,” she continues, “as a parent I can say that I appreciate his passion and enthusiasm for the kids, and I know the students appreciate it, too.” Kirk is currently working toward an art degree at Saddleback College and was well prepared by his classes at SCHS, which covered a host of topics, including critical-thinking skills, principles of design, various materials and media, design communication, and portfolio presentation. Kirk wouldn’t be the only Delanty student studying art beyond high school. One of Delanty’s former students, Roderick Urquidi, is now an art instructor at SCHS.
After sharing about the success of his students, Delanty’s voice has a noticeable tremble. His words are filled with emotion as he anticipates his retirement on June 16. He takes a breath and talks about the privilege of teaching: “These kids are deserving of my full energy. They are worthy of my service and effort.”
According to SCHS Principal Charles Hinman, a teacher like Delanty leaves an impression that can’t be matched. “You just can’t replace him,” begins Hinman. “It’s impossible to replace a teacher of his caliber. These students get a real-life experience with a renowned artist. It’s impossible to replace that.”
So why retire? “I have a lifelong dream to paint full time,” confesses Delanty. It’s a magnificent obsession for him, and one that he encourages in his students. Over the years he acknowledges a handful of students whose talent has just “blown” him away. Joey Varholic, whose work is currently featured at the Casa exhibit, is one of them. “Joey just has this special ability, this talent, to make art out of anything he gets his hands on. He can do cartoons, comics, painting, portraits…any medium. He’s amazing.” Art, explains Delanty, is something everyone can do to a certain degree, but for success, the desire must exceed the talent.
Delanty talks about “Project Runway”—a fashion design reality show on Bravo television—and its mentor Tim Gunn’s teaching style. He and his daughter never miss an episode, both enjoying the artistic solutions revealed by the designers after each challenge. “Tim always says, ‘Make it work!’ I really think that’s the main idea behind art. You give students a challenge, and you point them in the right direction, giving them the resources they need, and then it’s up to them to make it work. I always tell my students, ‘Just get some color down.’ Then, somehow, they find a way to make it work.”
For Delanty, it’s all about education, and he’s quick to point out that he’s learned as much from the students as they’ve learned from him. For now, Delanty doesn’t need another project, but he’s looking forward to painting and contributing in some other way. “I’m not done,” he says.
We didn’t think so.
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