Rafael's Page

Who is Rafael Kelman?

Rafael Kelman has been my highschool art teacher for the past four years. We both began at the academy in the same year, and connected over our mutual love of the artistic process. Often, when I had the time and his classroom was empty, I found my way into the art room to work on artwork (as the names imply.) In these hour long periods we chatted about virtually anything. Film, religion, government, society, money, class, you name it, and in these discussions the art room expanded for me. It became my place to form thoughts, form my self, and speak honestly with an open ear. Rafael never judged, and not only that, but he responded thoughtfully, and treated my intelligence (or sometimes lack thereof) with respect. If my experience with the art room hadn't been so liberating, I often wonder if I would even make a senior project like this-- let alone pursue studio art in college.

In my junior and senior year I had considerably less free time to spend in the art room.  While I miss the frequency of our conversations, I've noticed those periods being filled by kid's who're now using Rafael as a resource in the same way I did at their age. I'm grateful his expertise and care is spread in-discriminatly among the student body. Through his roles as a sports coach, art teacher, and member of the school's community, Rafael has become a prominent example out of many other adults in how I want to relate to the younger generation. Kind, understanding, and most importantly, curious.