FREEPORT

Walking through the halls of Freeport High School, Thomas Edwards was greeted warmly by students and faculty members alike on a Friday morning.

Edwards, who retired as the school’s principal in 2006, still likes to drop by every now and then.

“It became my favorite job,” he said of the 10 years he had been at the high school.

For someone who “always knew” he wanted to be an educator, it’s not surprising that Edwards’ resume also includes being the superintendent of schools in Portland and the principal at three other schools.

But in all his years of experience, one thing is for certain; he’s a big believer in the arts.

“Art is something that’s made that tells a story and it can be about the world or it can be about ourselves,” Edwards said. “So if you are in an environment that is rich in arts, your environment is rich in potential for learning and experiencing.”

He recalled one year when a traveling group of musicians and dancers from India had performed for Freeport students at an assembly.

“I thought, ‘Uh-oh. These are teenage kids, and kids can be pretty rough if they think they’re seeing something different and they think it’s funny,’” he said with smile. “But the nice thing is, they loved it.”

Edwards paused, taking a moment to regain his composure after choking up.

“You got me thinking about stuff I haven’t thought about in a long time,” he said. “I was just thrilled. But it taught me that … you could try anything and if it has value, it’ll work.”

Long after his retirement, it’s clear that Edwards’ investment in he art program still continues and resonates.

The student art gallery in the atrium of the Freeport Performing Arts Center is also named in honor to him.

“I’ve always felt … that kids want to have art present in schools,” Edwards said. “We want kids to experience art. And so all along the way, that’s been kind of a hobby to help in the school setting to promote art. And here … I was working with teachers who felt the same way at Freeport.”

In 2014, Edwards received a grant for a Bernard Langlais painting that is currently hanging in the school’s library. He continues to pursue more art pieces for the school.

“It’s really important as an art educator to feel obviously supported, and he would always make sure to always come to the events, art exhibitions, theatrical performances, musical performances — he was there,” said art teacher Kimberly Medsker-Mehalic.

Medsker-Mehalic, a Bowdoin College alumna, serves as one of two full-time art teachers at the school, and was hired by Edwards 12 years ago.

Occasionally, Edwards will also stop by to teach a couple of her Advanced Placement Art History classes.

“He’s amazing; he’s so important to this community,” she said. “He tries so hard to be involved, which is important because other people keep coming and going, but he’s been there, he’s checked in, which is huge.”

Medsker-Mehalic also shared her thoughts on the importance of art education in schools.

“Art is the few content areas that forces kids to think on their own and come up with their own solutions, not just read a textbook and memorize an answer; they have to create an answer,” she said. “I tell (students) no matter what they’re going to do … art encourages attention to detail and problem solving. If you can’t figure it out one way, find a different way. It’s really relevant to all of our lives, and Tom has always seen that.”

Edwards is also part of an art committee headed by local artists Catherine Breer and Liz Prescott for the Freeport High School Renovation Project, said Medsker-Mehalic.

As part of the project, Breer and Prescott are hoping to create a mural across the school cafeteria, a project Edwards was pleased about.

“I think this mural they will do will be one of the beautiful, artistic monuments in the state of Maine because they’re both great artists, so this is very exciting,” he said.

“Freeport is a wonderful setting to bring in rich art exhibits and experiences for kids, and that helps stimulate some of the best learning that kids can do,” Edwards said.