After the retirement of art teacher Mr. Christopher Fox, Ms. Aki Torii will now serve as the chair of the visual arts department.
Ms. Torii views this new position as a great opportunity for her to share her artistic passion with others.
“It is an incredible honor to take on this new role as Head of the Art Department. What excites me most is the potential to create a space where boys feel safe to be open, expressive, and creative,” Ms. Torii said. “Art can be such a powerful outlet, not just for developing skills, but for understanding ourselves and the world around us.”
Leading the visual arts program requires rigorous study in painting, sculpture, printmaking, and many other intricate skills.
“As an art educator and an artist, I understand the impact of having someone who truly believes in you—someone who supports your creative and personal growth.”
Ms. Aki Torii
“Advocacy is one of the most essential skills in serving as Head of the Art Department,” Ms. Torii said. “As an art educator and an artist, I understand the impact of having someone who truly believes in you—someone who supports your creative and personal growth—and how that support can shape the work you do.”
Ms. Torii also emphasizes that whether you are artmaking or teaching, the experience can sometimes feel isolating if you’re not intentional about staying connected and sharing with others.
Ms. Torii has worked as an art educator for over eighteen years. She started as a museum educator and teaching artist at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Then, she earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in 2008 and secured a position at the Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD) as an adjunct professor, where she began to build a true passion for visual art education.
Ms. Torii finds Haverford to be unparalleled in its rich history and strong traditions of supporting boys. With the change in art department leadership, Ms. Torii plans to continue the legacy established by her predecessors.
“This will be a humbling year for me, with so much to learn about Haverford as an institution, a community, and a culture.” Ms. Torii said. “I will be adopting and reinventing myself as an art educator to discover what is most appropriate and meaningful for this community.”
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