Art additions

The Plainfield North High School (PNHS) Art Department begins a new chapter with the addition of a full-time art teacher, Faith Saibert, marking the first time in 14 years that the department has had more than one full-time instructor. 

Saibert holds an undergraduate degree in studio practices from the Art Institute of Chicago and a master’s degree in education from DePaul University. Saibert brings a passion for ceramics, contributing 10 years of experience to the program.

When asked about what excited her at PNHS, Saibert said, “I got to tour the classrooms, and I especially liked the ceramic studio […] I was very excited that [PNHS] went from a seven-period to an eight-period [day], so that more students would want to take art classes that weren’t able to.” 

Saibert shared plans to develop a digital illustration course and expand ceramics offerings, giving students more opportunities to explore their creativity. 

The department’s veteran teacher, Peter Quimby, reflected on how far things have come: “When I first opened up the building in 2005, it was myself and two other art teachers […] there was that time period of about 14 years or so where it was either just me or there was one year that I had a part-time art teacher.”  

Quimby went on to express the craziness the beginning of the year held, but noted that the new changes were good. He hopes that with the developments in the department, more students will be inclined to take art, and although change can be scary, both teachers state their excitement for the future. 

With the addition of new staff, Quimby says the department feels “enthusiastic, optimistic, and for myself invigorated […] the class has become more fun and playful.” 

The additions to the department bring hope for new classes in the future. Both teachers advocate for the importance of art education in today’s world and believe the addition of classes would be a great idea as the program continues to grow.

“Very few classes allow students to work with a variety of materials and tools, with their hands. That doesn’t involve, of course, being on a screen or working out of a book,” Quimby stated. “[Art courses] strongly encourage socialization, talking, and using your imagination – things that are rare in most courses.” 

The benefits of these new changes are clear. As the PNHS art department turns over a new leaf, both the art teachers and students are hoping for growth and support.

Quimby’s advice for his new colleague and the students in his classes is simple but powerful: “Be humble, don’t be afraid of failure, and always be a lifelong learner.”