Dan Mahoney: Closing One Chapter, Creating the Next

Whether teaching Intro to Filmmaking, Graphic Design, or Art Exploration, Dan Mahoney has spent the past eight years at Marian helping students explore creativity in its many forms. Now preparing for retirement, he reflects on the experiences, lessons, and relationships that shaped his time at Marian.

A lifelong love of art

Mahoney’s connection to art started early. Growing up in a family of 10 children, creativity was always part of life. Over time, his interests expanded from drawing and pastels to filmmaking, television production, and digital art.

“I’ve always liked a little bit of everything creatively,” he says.

When he saw an opening at Marian eight years ago, he decided to apply, though he admits he didn’t expect anything to come of it.

“I had applied to other Catholic schools before and never heard back,” he says. “But I’m so glad it worked out because I’ve really loved it here.”

Making space for creativity

Throughout his time at Marian, Mahoney became known for creating a classroom atmosphere that felt welcoming, relaxed, and supportive, something students often appreciated amid busy academic schedules.

“Among my superpowers are patience and staying calm,” he says. “I hear from students a lot that my classes feel very chill, and I think they like having that space during the day.”

Rather than rushing students through projects, Mahoney always focused on helping them create work of which they genuinely could be proud.

“I’m more interested in students enjoying the process and feeling good about what they make than trying to finish something quickly just for a grade,” he notes.

That philosophy also shaped the way he approached teaching art itself.

“In art, people make mistakes all the time,” Mahoney explains. “The whole secret is learning how to fix those mistakes. The minute you put paint on a canvas, it becomes this organic process where you keep adjusting and improving.”

Why the arts matter

Mahoney believes arts education plays an essential role in schools because it gives students opportunities to think differently, solve problems creatively, and use imagination in ways other subjects may not always allow.

“Students get a lot of STEM education, which is important,” he says. “But art lets them explore another side of their brain. It teaches creativity, patience, and problem-solving.”

He also encouraged students who may not see themselves as naturally artistic to keep practicing and stay open to growth.

“People think art is all in the hands, but really it’s in the eyes,” he says. “Learning how to truly see shapes, textures, and details takes time.”

Over the years, Mahoney said he has been continually impressed by the talent of Marian students.

“There are some students here with incredible natural talent,” he notes. “It’s amazing to see what they can do.”

Up next

In retirement, Mahoney plans to spend more time creating his own artwork, traveling, hiking, biking, and collaborating with filmmaker friends on creative projects. He also hopes to volunteer at the Detroit Institute of Arts, a place he has long loved visiting.

“It’s a new chapter in my life,” he says. “I’m going to make the best of it.”

And while retirement may mark the end of his time in Marian’s classrooms, his encouragement for students remains the same:

“Have imagination. Have patience. Keep a sense of humor,” he says. “And create what you like.”