FERNDALE, Mich. – Art teacher John Hicks regularly spends class time working with individual students, giving in-person critiques of works in progress, and inviting peer comments. 

That same approach continues during the current COVID-19 pandemic that now has students distance learning at De La Salle Collegiate.

Hicks has been posting assignments and video tutorials, and is available to answer questions during the day for his students in computer graphics, studio art, portfolio art, video production, and International Baccalaureate art. 

Recently, he added an assignment requiring most of his students to design and create a personal protective equipment, using NASA’s in-situ resource utilization. 

“Think of the movie Apollo 13, when an oxygen tank explodes, and the crew has to figure out what to do, using what they have on hand,” Hicks said. 

The assignment included instructions to make an inventory of what could be used, such as plastic or glass, as well as fabric, and what items could be used to attach pieces, such as staples or tape. Then students had to create a sketch or drawing, and send in their photos. 

Hicks is also adjusting his classwork, recognizing that his Art 1 and computer graphics students don’t have their tools with them. 

“Art I students were about to start painting,” Hicks said. “They were all excited, and now it seems like they’re regressed. So we are back to pen and paper, and I’m teaching them new techniques.” 

For Computer Graphics students, without access to Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator on school computers, Hicks is creating assignments using Adobe Spark, a simple online program that can create a variety of graphics, webpages, and even videos.

For advanced art students, Hicks said, “It’s business as usual.” 

He is working with his IB students who are preparing art exhibits in their homes, and then sending photographs. 

During the pandemic, Hicks is “Mr. Mom” to his three-year-old daughter and two-year-old son. His wife Jessy runs her family’s grocery store in Sterling Heights. Pre-pandemic, Jessy would have taken the children to her parents’ home during the day. 

“I’m really proud of her for working so hard, 10 to 12 hours a day, to keep people fed and happy,” Hicks said. “She really takes her work seriously, especially now as people try to shop small and avoid the big grocery stores.

“This has been tough for everyone. But I’ve gotten to know my neighbor better. Instead of a quick hello, I find myself having 20-minute conversations.”