Teachers Open Students to Opportunity
An Artist Finds His Muse
A renaissance man is defined as an individual with many talents or areas of talent, and Empowered alumni Clayton Barnett certainly meets that definition. A teacher is defined as someone who helps unlock student passion – helping them understand opportunity awaits.
Barnett, a 2017 alumni of The Independent School in Wichita, Kansas, was part of the inaugural group of students who learned under an Empowered Educator at the school. The teacher wanted more resources to help students at the private high school explore different interests and opportunities – helping them discover their unique blend of passions and talents that could create success for them, and others, in life.
“I remember learning that you can pretty much do anything in life as long as you have a plan that includes researching the market,” he said. “You don’t have to have others make decisions for you but you should get input and perspective from experts and those you trust.”
Barnett was interested in art in all forms, shapes, and sizes and he knew he wanted to create a path for himself that would be both creative and practical – by way of real world expenses and considerations. He spent time in the Empowered classroom looking and different models of creative businesses and different routes to his goal.
Guidance Along the Way
His teacher encouraged him – connecting him to local artists and creatives and encouraging him to ask direct, tough questions about how they make a living and stay true to their artistic urges. He learned there are ways to have your cake and eat it, too. He credits his teacher and the Empowered strategy for him being ready to start his career right after high school.
“Sometimes, as an artist, that doubt creeps in your head. I learned early that you have to put that doubt aside, believe in you, sell you, build your craft, build your success. I thank my teachers for that reminder – also in the back of my head.”
Clayton Barnett
Empowered Alumni
The Life of a Working Artist
Clayton has certainly been making his own decisions since graduation. He did well with his Garden Pots at the Wichita State University Regional Competition. Since then, it’s been full steam ahead for this alumni – learning and growing in the arts. He is now a celebrated ceramicist, stained glass artist, photographer, industrial seamster, and a glass maker.
“I was working in stained glass when I researched who made the actual sheets of glass,” said Clayton.
After finding a video of people casting glass at Bulleye’s Glass in Portland, Oregon, he was hooked.
“I was already thinking about Portland,” he said, “and the process was so cool.”
With solid research and a plan, the Empowered alumni headed to Portland. He now works with liquid glass, handling temperatures that reach up to 2500 degrees. He started in a flex position but was a quick learner and moved right into casting. One big lesson from Clayton’s participation in Empowered was the fact that artists have worth.
Keep Exploring
“Learning to market yourself as an artist is key,” said Clayton. “Looking back at my discussions and experiences in high school – that is what artists and crafters were really telling me. They shared that knowledge in a way, I think, of making sure that I felt more aware and comfortable going in. I’d make better decisions. I’d have better success.”
Another Empowered Principle that stays with him is integrity. Clayton, having worked in many different studios and shops, has seen lots of different styles of working and management. The style that he connects with is one where the art and the business have mutual respect – “everyone treats each other as important parts of the process. Being seen as talented and worthy of praise and ready to be challenged to improve has helped build me up.”
“I’ve learned how to treat customers, colleagues, and supervisors,” he shared. “It is the same way I want to be treated and it ensures that I am an artist and a professional. With the connections I am making, and the skills I have learned, my next goal is to establish my own studio space,” he said. “I’ve done the market research, and there are some real needs for stained glass and stained-glass repair on old houses in Portland.”
Without settling, Clayton is building his craft to continue doing his own thing. “I do what I want in life. No one makes decisions for me,” said Clayton.
See Clayton In Action
Tap below to see Clayton (in the white baseball cap) pouring glass at his job:
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