Walk into Kenny Delio’s art classroom at The Baldwin School and you’re immediately immersed in a world of imagination. Music fills the air, sculptures spill from tables and shelves, and student artwork hangs from nearly every surface — even the ceiling. “Exploration through play,” Mr. Delio says, describing his philosophy. “I provide freedom to my students to explore and play with material to answer questions and solve problems.”

 

As Chair of Baldwin’s Visual Arts Department, Mr. Delio teaches the 3D section of Art 1 along with all levels of Sculpture and Ceramics. But his classroom is much more than a place for technical skill-building — it’s a space for creative risk-taking and self-discovery. “By guiding them in exploring different materials and techniques, I encourage them to take risks and embrace the artistic process,” he explains. “The arts help students develop confidence and a strong sense of self by encouraging creative expression, risk-taking and resilience.”

Mr. Delio’s classroom is known for being a sensory experience — alive with sound, color, and movement. His weekly playlists have become a tradition: Motown Mondays, Today’s Hits Tuesdays, Wacky Wednesdays, Throwback Thursdays, and Reggae Fridays give every day its own rhythm. “If someone walked into my classroom for the first time,” he says, “I’d want them to feel their inner child.”

 

His approach balances freedom and foundation. In Art 1, students learn technical skills in form, composition, and material — skills that later allow them to experiment confidently. “I guide students by encouraging them to push boundaries while maintaining a solid understanding of form and material,” Mr. Delio says. “That balance helps them develop their unique artistic voice while ensuring their work is well-executed.”

Mr. Delio’s teaching emphasizes process over perfection. “I can’t seem to do anything right without doing it wrong first,” he laughs. “Every project goes wrong to some degree, and that’s exactly what pushes me to figure out how to make it right. The mistakes are what move the work forward.” It’s a mindset he passes on to his students. “Baldwin students tend to be scared of doing things wrong, needing permission to move forward,” he says. “I like to think I help them with that.”

 

By normalizing failure as part of creativity, Mr. Delio helps students build resilience, adaptability, and confidence — qualities that extend far beyond the art room.

For Mr. Delio, the tactile experience of artmaking is irreplaceable. “I don’t think I’ll ever teach a 3D printing lesson again,” he admits. “The students felt too personally removed from their creations. On the other hand, I’ll always keep projects that are deeply hands-on, where students physically shape and build their ideas.” Clay, in particular, remains his constant companion. “It’s the one tool I can’t live without,” he says simply.

 

Most projects in his classes are student-led, designed to give young artists a sense of ownership and personal voice. “When students make artistic choices, reflect on their work, and interpret others’ art, they develop empathy, self-awareness, and emotional resilience,” Mr. Delio explains. “It’s mental exercise — and it strengthens their ability to navigate complex emotions and perspectives.”

 

When it comes to new approaches he brings into the art classrooms at Baldwin, Mr. Delio is excited to have his students experiment with glaze formulation in ceramics. “Exploring the technical and scientific side of such a primitive material adds a whole new layer of discovery to the creative process,” he explains.

 

Outside Baldwin, Mr. Delio’s own artistic practice spans over decades, working with materials ranging from steel and wood to plaster, resin, and fabric. He really enjoys working with wood and has created furniture for himself, friends and family. The artwork that’s displayed at home: a combination of his own artwork and furniture mixed with artists he has traded with over the years. And if there was one artist he could collaborate on a sculpture with, it would be “Hands down, Tim Burton,” he exclaims! “His imaginative, strange and whimsical ideas inspired me to become a maker, and to have the chance to work on one of his movie sets would be a dream come true.” 

 

During the school year, though, his creative energy is devoted primarily to his students. “I don’t create much during the school year,” he admits. “All my creative energy goes into inspiring and supporting my students. Summer is when I have time to focus on my own making.”

When asked what he hopes Baldwin students remember about his class years from now, Mr. Delio doesn’t hesitate: “I hope they remember the joy and challenges of the creative process — and the genuine, unexpected conversations we shared along the way.”

 

His dedication to fostering creativity and confidence in every student has made his art room a sanctuary of imagination — a place where mistakes are masterpieces in the making, and where every young artist learns to see the world — and themselves — a little differently.