The teacher who inspired his students to discover an American icon in an Oprah Winfrey portrait is retiring this year from the Carson City School District, but not before being honored with the Governor's Arts Award for arts and education.
"I'm totally honored," Paul Ford said Thursday at Carson High School. "You know, my wife and I are thrilled. It's such a nice thing to be thanked."
Ford will be honored at an April 5 ceremony at the University of Nevada, Reno's Nightingale Concert Hall. Ford will receive an original piece of artwork from Las Vegas printmaker Maria Arango. Each year, a different artist is commissioned to do the pieces given to the recipients.
Ford says he is a teacher who believes in student-generated work. Perhaps that's why a third-year art student from his class spoke so highly of him.
"He's great," said 16-year-old junior Richard Reardon. "He's the greatest art teacher I've ever had. He actually helps and lets me do my own stuff. He doesn't criticize what I do."
Student Kelsey Sweet said she would miss Ford after the year comes to an end.
"I picked up a lot of different techniques from him this year, like using colored pencils," the 17-year-old said.
As part of Ford's many years of teaching, he spent some time in the mid-80s with the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program in Edinburgh, Scotland, sharing painting and art history with students.
In 1978, he left San Diego for the Carson City School District and has worked at Carson High for 27 years.
"They've been good, great years," he said.
When Ford's retirement comes, he plans to work on his art, travel, and enjoy family and friends. His artwork - soil landscapes - have been his mode of expression for more than 15 years.
"They are soil paintings in an impressionist style," he said. "I make them out of soil rather than paint."
His work has been shown regionally, including at the Nevada Arts Council in Carson City, nationally in Washington, D.C., and internationally, including in Florence, Italy.
He hopes to have a Web site up soon featuring his works, many of which are for sale.
He is not too quick to forget, though, the students who have made his career at Carson High meaningful.
"The real honor has been touching these great kids," he said.
Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.
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