ART, LIFE AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

December 6, 2019

Notre Dame art teacher says visual arts courses help students to think critically, be more observant and to look outside the box.

When visual arts teacher Ned Devine first came to work at Notre Dame Prep back in the fall of 2008, he knew he'd found a home. 

"I was a little nervous at first to start this job, he said. "I was confident in the material, but was anxious about all the new faces and courses. However, I was relieved to feel so comfortable so quickly. The staff and teachers and the students all accepted me right away,” he said.

He also said the opportunity to work at Notre Dame was just what he was looking for, given his background. 

"I grew up in Catholic schools and really hoped to be part of that kind of environment as a teacher. I am very thankful to have been given the opportunity." 

Fine-tuned fine art

Devine says he loves teaching at NDP and loves working with his visual arts teaching partner, Sandy LewAllen, who also serves as NDPMA's art chair. 

"I feel that we have fine-tuned an amazing art program that prepares students to be successful as they move on from Notre Dame into art, design, engineering, medical, or whatever field  or career they pursue," he said. 

For her part, LewAllen says she appreciates how much energy Devine brings to the school's art program.

"As a longtime member of the fine arts department, Ned shares his enthusiasm for art with our high school art students," she said. "His passion for photography, painting, drawing and design is well-appreciated and valued by our students."

UDJ, U-M and Wisconsin

Born and raised in the Detroit area, Devine grew up the youngest of seven children. He was the fourth child in his immediate family to go through U-D Jesuit High School, which also counts his dad and grandfather as alums. 

After U-D Jesuit, Devine graduated from the the University of Michigan School of Art and Design in 1993 and completed his art-education program at the University of Wisconsin. 

"I moved back to the Detroit area in 2006 and spent a year teaching in Detroit before taking a year to stay home with my daughters," he said. "Outside of teaching in Detroit, I also taught for six years in Columbus, Wisconsin, which is just north of Madison."

Now well-entrenched in NDPMA, he is convinced that art fits perfectly with the school and its mission.

“I think that art and design inherently speak to social issues,” said Devine, who's also trained as a professional photographer. “Our mission at NDPMA says we form Christian persons, upright citizens and academic scholars. What could be more Christian and socially responsible than using art as a voice for the misrepresented and underrepresented? I also believe that art education teaches students to think more openly about all situations.”

'Open door'

Devine also believes that teaching art goes well beyond the technical training. 

"I've always believed that the concepts learned in visual art expand an individual’s ability to think critically, be more observant, think outside of the box, and on and on," he said. "Also, one of the things I love about the studio format here in school is that it allows me to have a closer connection with students. The more comfortable that students feel in their environment, the more chances they will think creatively, and the more success they will feel."

Braeden Fromwiller, who graduated from Notre Dame Prep in 2018, was one of those students.

"Mr. Devine definitely passed on his experience and passion for art and photography," said Fromwiller, who currently is attending the University of Michigan. "I thank him for always having an open door, not only for classwork, but to talk about life and everything in between."

Another one of his former students, Angela Adams NDP'15, also had high praise for her former art teacher.

"Mr. Devine introduced me to photography and I was immediately hooked," she said. "It is my creative outlet and I love it. I am also thankful to him for being such a great teacher and mentor."

Outside of Notre Dame Prep, Devine said he and his wife, Jennifer, keep a busy schedule. 

"My wife and I have a daughter who's almost 18, one who is nearing 15, and one who is 13 years old," he said. "We live in Royal Oak and love to be outside during any season. We also love hiking and camping and if I could ever figure out how to find more time, I would love to finish some of my own art pieces."