A Tribute to Mr. Bill Faltinoski: “Champion of the Visual Arts”

When Mr. Bill Faltinoski joined the fine arts department in 1982, he was assigned to teach art – and to expand the curriculum by offering photography classes. The assignment meant building a completely outfitted darkroom and creating classes around black and white 35-millimeter cameras.

Some 40 years later, those early classes made an impact.

“I took every photo course I could take,” said Mark Black ’87, who went on to work at the Daily Herald as a staff photographer and now shoots for the Chicago Tribune, the AP, and UPI, among others. “That kind of access to advanced photography tools gave me a leg up when I got to Columbia College.”

Another alumnus, Eric Rettberg ’99, earned a doctorate in English that focused on digital humanities, added: “Mr. Faltinoski’s photography class meant a great deal to me." 

If Mr. Faltinoski didn’t realize it then, the challenge to broaden the course selection to appeal to more students would become the hallmark of the fine arts department that Mr. Faltinoski eventually led as chairman for 20 years.

He passed away on Feb. 18 after a long illness. Mr. Faltinoski, who retired in 2020, was 64.

Fr. Daniel Lydon, CSV, ’73, President, described Mr. Faltinoski as an “exceptional art educator,” and one of the longest-serving faculty members at the school. 

“He built our Fine Arts program into what it is today,” Fr. Lydon said. “Through his creativity, he brought people together and helped build community at Saint Viator High School. He will be missed.”

As he approached retirement in 2020, Mr. Faltinoski remembered that in his second year, the department purchased a Mac 512K computer.

“We didn’t think computers and art would ever belong together,” he said, looking back.

But soon, Mr. Faltinoski would embrace technology, saying that “computers and technology were tools that could enhance the creative process, not replace it.”

Course selections would expand to offer a whole series of classes in art, design, and technology, and would ultimately include courses in digital imagery and Adobe Photoshop, and 2-D and 3-D design, using the department’s 3-D printers.

Mrs. Kate Costello worked alongside Mr. Faltinoski as a member of the fine arts department for 20 years. She described her colleague as “a champion of the visual arts.”

“He expanded course offerings to include technology and appeal to a broader student base,” Mrs. Costello said. “Many students took multiple art classes thanks to Bill’s expansion of the curriculum.”

A highlight of every year was the Spring Arts Festivals, which showcased not only students in choral, band, and theater programs, but in the visual arts as well. Parents would peruse students’ work displayed throughout the building, always exploring a different theme. 

“Part of creating art is having others see it and appreciate it,” Mr. Faltinoski said.

The week ended with a faculty party that Mr. Faltinoski hosted, with food provided by members of the Patrons of the Arts.

“He conjured up the most amazing art-centered contests,” Mrs. Costello added, “that created much camaraderie and fun.”

As chairman of the Fine Arts Department, Mr. Faltinoski worked closely with the Patrons, who fundraised throughout the year for wish list items for the arts, and scholarships for students pursuing the arts.

“He was a kind person who rarely missed our Patrons’ meetings,” said member Suzanne Daugherty, “because he knew our sole purpose was to support our children who love the arts.”

Perhaps, Mr. Matt Gruenfeld worked with Mr. Faltinoski the most over the recent years, in his role as a visual arts teacher. Of his former colleague, he said simply: “He was an exceptionally gifted artist and teacher. I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor.”