We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Clint Hanson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Clint below.
Clint, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
I have enjoyed the many opportunities that have been presented to me as an artist and creator. for example – (Healing Arts for Heroes) which is helping disabled veterans like myself find art as a therapy. I also enjoy volunteering for the Make48 “Nationwide invention-competition docuseries” as a tool tech, a mentor, or like earlier this year I was a Captain for the Kansas City School for the Blind team. I enjoy my full-time job at the KCAI as an Instructional Assistant Foundation Department. My position is to help students and faculty with art creation and maintain supplies/equipment. Working and helping others has always been a big part of my life.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am an graphic artist, a produce farmer, a woodworker, a sculptor, and see myself as a creator. I enjoy gardening because it allows me to share what I grow with others. I have my own studio which has wood working equipment, art supplies, and a laser cutter that allows me to create unique one of a kind pieces/gifts for people and businesses. This studio is a space that allows me share creating with other artist who can not afford the cost of equipment/supplies. I am also a co-founder of a non profit facebook group called Healing Arts for Heroes. We supply for free art supplies and have workshops for veterans, first responders and their families with creating arts and crafts. I also have a small business called Art Enables Me LLC. This name was chosen because it fits who I am as an artist. I grew up in poverty and art was there for me. I am a disabled veteran who suffers from a lower back injury and art has been there for me. I love sharing my skills and experiences with others. Art has always been there for me and I use it as form of therepy. I graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute and now I work there as a Instructional Assistant in the Foundation Department (first year students). This job is very rewarding because it allows me to give back and help new students explore the possibilties of how to create art. I work along side the faculty with making safety a top priority when using tools and equipment.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding part of being an artist and small business owner is sharing my journey with other like people. I like building a sense of community where we can learn off each other. For example if I have an abundence of materials or supplies I like to share them with others to help them create at a lower cost. Sharing my studio space, experiences, techniques, and tools helps build a creative commuity.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
In my senior year at KCAI my back injury from my military experience flared up and I pretty much lost the ability to walk without the help of crutches for a few weeks. I was in the middle of creating furniture for the end-of-semester show. I ended up finishing the furniture in a rolling desk chair. I was determined to complete the work and show it regardless of my injury. I often suffer from my injury which causes depression and with creating art or helping others pulls me through.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.art-enables-me.com/
- Instagram: art_enables
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtEnablesMe/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clint-hanson-ba7993122/
