We recently connected with Seven Bailey and have shared our conversation below.

Seven , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

After years of welding and fabricating I ended up teaching at Dunwoody College of Technology as the Senior Welding Instructor. Education is a deep passion of mine and being able to share my skills to help other pursue their own professional goals was/is truly a gift. After 6yrs teaching, and fabricating local public works of art in Minneapolis I was contacted by and Artist/Architect in ATL that need a Fabricator to lead a team in completing a 18,000 cortex sculpture named Nimbus. This job would require me to take a leave from teaching for a few months and then continue to fly out on the weekends during the school year. I knew I wanted to do it but was also scared of not being able to accomplish it and even more worried about how it might shift my life’s direction. Needless to say that doing Nimbus made me realize my original joy and passion around metal fabrication and I haven’t looked back since.

Since completing Nimbus, I left full-time teaching. Fast forward a few more years and I found myself on Netflix competing with other artist/fabricators who have now become lifelong friends and collaborators. Most recently it lead me to Artist Michelle Browder who sought me out to help bring her Mother’s of Gynecology Monument to fruition. The impact of public art is so vast and being able to work along side such visionaries is transformative. I believe in using my skills to support others every chance I can get.

Had I not taken the risk of stepping outside my comfort zone I would have missed out on some of the greatest people and experiences in my life. Building a strong network of humans really helps shape the world you want to cultivate around you. Grab onto opportunities that speak to you, and don’t pass up opportunities out of fear.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

When I was young I had the I remember seeing flashdance as a kid which literally enticed me with a spark to understand and pursue a career in welding and metal fabrication. I was always inclined to draw, paint, and sculpt from an early age. This lead me to the decision to go to art school. I dropped out early on as I couldn’t wrap my brain around why I would need a diploma to reach my artistic goals.

Teaching has a big part of my heart, I love sharing welding and fabrication with others. It’s a gift to posses these skills, and I firmly believe in sharing to empower others in making them their own. Welding and metal fabrication has given me a beautiful career path that continues to evolve. It’s bigger than just being a welder. My path has gone from welder, to manager, instructor, welding inspector, artist and back again. I plan on continuing to use any platform I have to share my experience with others, I remain focused on reaching marginalized folx, there are endless opportunities in the world of metal, ands the more we are visible the more we can reach out and support one another. To me it is important to be visible. I haven’t seen any Black Trans Non-binary Queers in the welding world, let alone on tv. It’s important for us to keep taking up space, sharing our experiences and keep shining.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding thing about what I do is that I am able to support others in their visions. My personal mission around it is to support as many people as possible as that is what I was for to do.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think it’s important to keep giving a voice to artist and creatives through sharing their stories. Show up to events, promote with social media, and ask them how you can show up for them. Asking how you can show up doesn’t just apply to artists/creatives. Asking someone how you can show up for them when you are able is a powerful thing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sevenbailey.com
• Instagram: butchcharming
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theSevenBailey
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seven-bailey-4a4b3230/
• Twitter: @butch_charming
• Other: https://www.netflix.com/watch/81244158?trackId=200257859

Image Credits
Cyril James