The art of winning

Andrew Wainer

Huntington Beach art instructor Greg Daly’s modest, low-key demeanor

can’t hide his teaching acumen -- his students have won too many awards.

This week, two of his students won first prize in their grade levels in a

statewide art contest, just a small example of awards Daly’s students

have racked up in the past two years.

“These students have natural talent,” Daly said. “I just give them the

opportunity to use it.”

On Tuesday, two officials from the state Department of Boating and

Waterways visited Daly’s Dwyer Middle School art class to present the

awards.

Dwyer Principal Ian Collins suggested the school hold an assembly, but

Daly preferred to keep the celebration in his class.

Daly said he runs his class differently from most.

“I think my program has a slightly higher level of expectation than other

schools,” said the tanned, jeans-clad Daly. “Some of the concepts the

students learn are taught in high school and junior colleges.”

And his students respond to the challenge.

Seventh-grader Ryan Delany and eighth-grader Precilla Salas won first

prize for their grade level from among 6,000 applicants in the Department

of Boating and Waterways’ contest.

Although Daly sheepishly said his students “are always fairly

successful,” their performance in recent art competitions could be

categorized as dominant.

The 1999 Sunset Beach Art Festival Poster Contest, the John Wayne Airport

Contest and the Independents’s Design An Ad Contest are just some of the

competitions Daly’s students have won in the past two years.

Many of the competitions were open to high school and adult entries.

Daly said part of his classes’ success is discipline. He used the word

repeatedly in conversations and suggested that it is an essential

artistic trait.

“Students must be disciplined to start a project and finish it without

distraction,” Daly said.

Although the 14-year veteran teacher doesn’t use a heavy hand in class,

he doesn’t need to -- the students know what he expects.

“There are standards in the classroom I am not willing to bend,” Daly

said. “No student has the right to take away another student’s right to

learn.”

One can sense the focus Daly emphasizes in the class, where hardly a

whisper can be heard during class time.

“Art is discipline, and it takes focus,” Daly said. “There are times

when I don’t allow the students to talk so that they can concentrate on

their projects. It’s the only way to get a good result.”

But Daly tempers his dedication to discipline with room for imagination.

“I don’t limit the students’ ability,” Daly said. “Students can express

whatever is in their imagination.”

Daly found his artistic inspiration early and close to home. The Laguna

Beach native was influenced by his mother, who was a professional

designer.

After taking art classes in high school, he went on to major in art in

college and then brought his passion for the subject back to the

classroom at Dwyer.

When he’s not surfing, Daly said he continues to paint and do ceramics,

but he likes to keep them a hobby.

Although he has sold some of his works, Daly said, “I try to stay away

from the commercial aspects of art.”

Students say art is fun, relaxing

Dwyer seventh-grader Ryan Delany likes to say he’s “two for two” when it

comes to art awards.

Ryan just won a first place award for his grade level from the state

Department of Boating and Waterways. And in December, he was awarded

first prize in the John Wayne Airport Poster Contest.

He’s starting to amass a collection of prizes.

“They gave me tickets to Disneyland when I won,” the 12-year old said.

On Tuesday, state officials gave him a $200 savings bond for his efforts.

But Ryan isn’t in it for the money.

“There’s not pressure in art,” he said. “It’s fun and relaxing.”

Although Ryan said he has been interested in art all his life, he didn’t

take any classes until he enrolled in Daly’s course last year.

Like Ryan, eighth-grader Precilla Salas, who also won first place for her

age group in the Boating and Waterways contest, said she too enjoys the

therapeutic advantages of art.

“It takes your mind off things,” she said.

Precilla said Daly has helped her refine her passion for art.

“I’ve learned how to draw people and shadows,” she said.

Precilla also said she often paints on the weekend with her own easel and

paints.

“I like to paint flowers and scenery,” Precilla said.

Precilla’s artistic talent makes her different from the rest of her

family, but that doesn’t stop them from encouraging her further.

“My parents don’t do art, but they support me,” she said.