A new generation of artists is blossoming at Metropolis Elementary School, thanks to art teacher John Romang, 26. He’s starting his second year as the head of the art class, and one of his budding protégées has already sold a painting! Romang’s own art has been featured in LowerTown’s Pinecone Art Gallery. This Springfield, Ill., native finds inspiration internally – as his series on body organs shows – and externally, often while hanging off cliffs.iList Paducah: John Romang, you are just cute, cute, cute, no doubt about it!
John Romang: Thank you, thank you, thank you!
IL: Now John, what inspired you to become an art teacher? You recently graduated from college, right?
JR: Yes, I have a fine arts degree from Eastern Illinois University and a teaching certificate. I like kids, and I like being around them. I was thinking of teaching early history, but so much of art involves early history, so I thought art would offer the best of both worlds.
IL: I bet the kids just adore you. Do they?
JR: Little kids are fun because they think whatever you do is the greatest thing in the world, and I like that! To me, it’s not a hard job. I enjoy being around students.
 |
| Water Mark, from the Damage Control series |
JR: They’re learning basic drawing skills, and then, once they have those basics, I help them move up to the next level. We do a lot of drawing and painting. Most of the kids enjoy it. There are a few who don’t, but most kids like art class.
IL: Teachers always say the first year is the hardest. Was that true for you, too?
JR: In the first year, you’re never prepared for what happens. Ever. No teacher can tell you what to expect. Your job is to take control. Learning to discipline the kids has been the hardest part for me.
IL: I bet! I can’t imagine you being especially strict – you’re such a laid-back guy!
JR: I was more strict last year since I didn’t know what I was doing. But this summer I read some books on discipline, which were very helpful. I feel this year is going to be better than last.
IL: What do you love most about teaching?
JR: Seeing the kids improve. It’s especially nice when they bring stuff in to show me – stuff they’ve worked on outside of class. We had one of the kid’s pieces hanging up at Etcetera Coffeehouse awhile back. It sold within a few weeks! So that was great for that particular kid.
IL: With schools always having to work with smaller and smaller budgets, are you ever worried about your job?
JR: Yes. But kids need a class each day that’s fun and that’s not relegated to learning from a book. A class where they can learn all sorts of things. We study the master painters, for example, but we also study lesser-known artists. There’s no boundaries for what I can teach when it comes to art. Everything is related. So yeah, art, music – those are the last classes that should ever be cut!
 |
| Committed to Addiction or Quit Anytime, from the Damage Control series |
JR: The show was called Damage Control. I wanted to do a different take on internal organs – what happens to them when something bad occurs? So I did nine pieces for the show, and three sold! I did paintings based on the liver, heart, eardrum, appendix, a skin cell and the brain. It was a huge deal for me to get a show right out of college. It was a big motivation!
IL: And your studio is in your apartment, yes? You live near LowerTown?
JR: Yes, I live just a few blocks up from LowerTown. I didn’t even know the artists were there when I moved in! It was a great surprise to find them. I really appreciate the openness of all the artists. I often stop by Pinecone to talk with Char and Jay, and also STUDIO mars to talk with Paul Lorenz.
IL: What are you working on now?
JR: Basically, anything in my sketchbook. I’m currently working on a painting for a friend’s wedding. It’s a 3x4 foot abstract painting. I really don’t like buying things off a wedding registry. It’s too impersonal, especially for friends.
IL: Agreed! What do you do when you’re not teaching or working on your own art?
JR: I enjoy rock climbing. I go about once a week. Usually at Draper‘s Bluff or Jackson Falls in the Shawnee National Forest. I like being outdoors. I also enjoy biking.
IL: So do you prefer taking dates on outdoor adventures or indoor adventures?
JR: The outdoors are great for dates, but I also think hanging out together in LowerTown would be fun. And there are great restaurants Downtown. I also enjoy the music at Jeremiah’s. There’s a lot going on here – you just have to look for it. The Twenty Thirty Group is a great way to get out, find fun and meet interesting people.
IL: John Romang, I’m happy to see that you’re spreading your creativity beyond your art canvasses! You’re just darling! And thanks for training up our future artists. The world always needs more art!
