PV art teacher Devin Hanson is stepping away from Pleasant Valley High School after teaching for five years. Hanson is going to Chicago to continue his art career. Hanson said, “There are many more opportunities open to me in Chicago than there are in the Quad Cities.” He went on to explain how there are more art galleries in Chicago, and
there are more modern ceramic artists that live there that aren’t in the Quad Cities.

Another reason why Hanson is moving up north to the windy city is because his current fiance is living in Chicago. He said, “I currently drive to see her most weekends.” Moving up there would obviously help him out tremendously.

Hanson said, “Working at a public school doesn’t give me enough time to to focus on my art.” However, he would be open to teaching at an art center or college. Regardless, Hanson plans to focus on his art career more than he did while teaching here at Pleasant Valley.

Losing Mr. Hanson will be a huge loss for the Pleasant Valley art department. Only having one art teacher left after this year, Pleasant Valley will have to find a new candidate to fill the opening. Pleasant Valley will be interviewing and observing candidates late in the 2016/2017 school year to find the right person for the job.

All of Hanson’s students seem to have had a positive experience with him as a teacher. Josh Docherty, senior, said, “This is my first year having Mr. Hanson as a teacher, and he has shown me that I can actually enjoy ceramics. I didn’t think a teacher could make me love it, but Mr. Hanson has.” It won’t be easy to replace Hanson as a teacher.

Hanson is a professional artist, meaning his work in his field goes beyond the classroom. He [Hanson] is currently doing an art show, where he is showing off some of his art work. Below is one of his pieces and a link to his website, which showcases more of his work.